LIBRAPlY OF CONGRESS. 



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hap. 



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^/^e// .£).^. L..a- f 



I UNiTED STATES OF AMERICA. | 



lld^dC- 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



OF THE 



Jlp$f iJ^wg^^galwMl i)il«iwl, 



BRISTOL, R. I., 



1687 — 1872. 



By 



.^oH^Ptx^Y., Pastoi? 



PHO VIDENCE : J 

PROVIDENCE PKESS COMPANY, PKINTER9, 

1872. 



^<^'C0PYRICrfT--,^ 



^V\o/JlA^D,r 



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<!^/y/^, 



mon'^S' 



Entered accDrdiiig to Act of Congress in the year 1872, by 

J. P. LANE, 

Jn tlie Ofiloe of the Libarian of Congross, at Washingtou, D. C. 



INDEX. 



I. The Foundations Laid. 1620-1691. - 3 

Prel i mi n ary survey of the groun d, - 3 

Settlement of the town oi Bristol, - ^' 

Efforts to settle a Gospel Ministry, - 1^^ 

Erection of a House of Worship, - 21 

24 
28 
28 
30 



38 
40 
46 

[1 



Organization of the Chnreh, 
Biographical notes of the Early Members, 
John Wali.ey, 
Nathaniel Byeield, - 
IMus. Deborah Byeield, - - 38 

Mrs. Sakah Byeield, - 
Benjamin Church, 
John Caky, 

Nathaniel Reynolds, - - 4' 

Hugh Woodbury, - - ^"^ 

Willi a:m Throof, - " ^"^ 

Nathaniel Bosworth, - 48 

The Kev. Sanmcjl Lee, D. D., Founder and 

First Pastor, - - - 49 

IL The Building Going Forward. 1691-1718, 65 

Efforts to obtain a Pastor, - - 6^ 

Tlie Rev. John Sparhawk, Second Pastor, 66 

HL Storm AND Peril. 1718-1740, - 68 

The McSparran difficulties, - - 68 

The Rev. Nathaniel Cotton, Third Pastor, 72 

The Rev. Barnabas Taylor, Fourth Pastor, 75 

lY. Peace and Prosperity. 1740-1775, - 76 

The Rev. John Burt, Fifth P:istor, - 76 



V. Halting of the Work. 1775-1785, - BO 

Scattered without a Shepherd. - - 80 

VI. The Work Renewed. 1785-1812, - 88 

The Catholic Society organized, - - 88 

Erection of a Second House of Worship, 89 

The Rev. Henry Wight, D. D., Sixth Pastor, 90 

VII. The Period of Revivals. 1812-1830, 94 

The Revival of 1812, - - - 94 

The Rev. Joel Majin, Seventh Pastor, 97 

The Sabbath School begun, - - 98 

The Revival of 1820, - - 99 

Erection of " the ILdl," - - 101 

The Rev. Isaac Lewis, D. D., Eighth Pas^^or, 103 

The Revival of 1830. - - - 108 

VIII. The Building Still Going Forward. 

1830-1872, - - - 110 

The Rev. John Starkweather, Ninth Pastor, 110 

The Rev. Thos. Sheperd, D. D., Tenth Pastor, 110 

Ei'eclion of the Third House of Worship, 112 

The Rev. Cyrus P. Osborne, Eleventh Pastor, 116 

Payment of the Debt, - - 117 

Erection of " the Memorial Chapel," 118 

The Rev. James P. Lane, Twelfth Pastor, 122 

Funds and Chnrities, - - 123 

Sacramental Furniture, - - 125 



II I S T O R Y 



I. 
THE FOUNDATIONS LAID,— 1G20-1 691. 

PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF THE GROUND. 

When the Pilgrim Fathei-s landed at Plymouth, in 
1620, Massasoit, at the head of the powerful tribe 
of Wampanoags or Pokmiokets was the principal 
Sachem of the territory between Narragansett and 
Massachusetts Bays, having his chief seat at Soicams 
or Soivamset, now Warren, R. I. 

He earl}^ manifested a friendl}' spirit toward the 
English, and, in the spring of 1621, made a treaty 
of peace with Governor Carver, which was main- 
tained without serious difficult}^ until his death in 
1661. 

He was succeeded b}' his eldest son, Alexander. 
A rumor soon after obtained credence that Alexan- 
der Avas not disposed to follow in the good waj^ of 
his father, but Avas plotting with the Narragansetts 
against the English. He was prompth^ summoned 
to the court at Ph^mouth, where he stouth' main- 
tained that the rumor was false. Haviug pledged 
fidelity he was suffered to depart in peace, and not 
Ions; after died. 



Philip, the 3'oimgest sou of Massasoit, succeeded 
his brother Alexander, having his chief seat at 
Mount Hope, a beautiful elevation on the east side 
of the peninsula, now included within the limits of 
Bristol, R. I. Among his first acts, he renewed the 
ancient treaty of his father with the Colonists, and five 
years passed awa}' before any suspicion of treachery 
was entertained, when there was a vague charge that 
he was willing to plot with the French or Dutch 
against the English. This he denounced as a calumu}'. 
After nearlj^ four 3'ears more, another rumor of 
treacheiy awakened solicitude at both Pl3'mouth and 
Boston. Upon investigation, proofs of bad faith 
were discovered, but conference with the authorities 
issued in renewed engagements of fealty. Three 
3xars later, Sassamon, a " praying Indian," informed 
the Governor of Ph'mouth, that Philip was tiying to 
excite other Sachems to war against the English. On 
hearing of this, Philip protested that it was not so, 
but the government did not believe him. A few days 
after, Sassamon was missing, and it was soon dis- 
covered that he was murdered at the instigation of 
Philip. Concealment of his treacherv being no 
longer possible, Philip openlv engaged in war, and, 
having enlisted the cooperation of other tribes, 
lighted the flame in various parts of the countiy 
which burned so deeply that it proved to be the most 
terrific of all those early conflicts with the Indians 
into which the Colonists were drawn. The first 
English blood was shed on or about the twent3'-fourth 
of June, 1675, and peace was secured under the well- 



directed energy of the Hon. Benjamin Church, in 
command of the Colonial forces, by the death of 
Philip, who was killed near Mount Hope the twelfth 
of August, 1676, and by the surprise and capture, a 
few days later, of Annawon, Philip's chief warrior. 
The territory over which Philip had presided came 
into the possession of Pl3^mouth Colony by right of 
conquest. 

When the war thus brought to a close broke out in 
1675,Pl3'mouth had been settled fifty-four years, and 
the entire population of New England, excluding 
Indians, was about eighty thousand. In what is now 
the State of Maine, there were thirteen towns and plan- 
tations, and one organized Congregational Church. 
In New Hampshire, four towns and three churches. 
Vermont had not been settled. Massachusetts had 
sixt3^-four towns and fifty-seven churches. Connecti- 
cut had twenty-three towns and twenty-one churches ; 
and Rhode Island had six towns, viz. : Providence, 
Newport, Portsmouth, Warwick, Westerly and New 
Shoreham, but no organized Congregational Church. 
The various tribes of Indians had been greatly 
reduced in numbers bj^ wars among themselves and 
with the Colonists and by the inroads of disease, and 
in all did not exceed eleven thousand, of whom about 
four thousand were " Pra3ing Indians," who had 
been won to some comprehension and practice of 
Christianity. 

" Along a line of rugged coast, from the Penobscot to the 
Hudson, were scattered settlements of Englishmen at un- 
equal distances from each other, — closely grouped together 
5 



Jibout midway of that line, farther apart at the extremi- 
ties. Almost all of them were reached by tide water. A 
Tery few were planted in detached spots in the interior; 
the most distant of these being about a hundred miles from 
the sea, whether measured from the east or from the south. 
In the three associated Colonies there was great similarity 
in the ordinary occupations and pursuits. The adults of 
both sexes worked hard ; the children went to school. The 
greater part of the men got a living by farm labor, provid- 
ing bread and meat, milk, butter and cheese for their own 
tables, and raising stock to sell in tlie West Indies for 
money with which to buy foreign commodities. But they 
were not all ftirmers. A portion were lumberers plying 
the axe through the winter in the thick pine forests, and, 
at the return of Spring, floating down their rafts to a sure 
and profitable market. Another portion were fishermen, 
familiar with the haunts of the cod, the mackerel and the 
whale, and with all perils of the sea. In the principal 
towns, various classes of artisans pursued a lucrative trade. 
The country furnished some staples for an advantageous 
foreign commerce; and especially in Boston not a lew 
merchants had grown rich." — Dr. Palfrey''s Hist. N. E., 
UI. 132, 134. 

SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN OF BRISTOL. 

The treaties of the Indian Chiefs Massasoit, 
Alexander and Philip, with the Plymouth Colon}-, 
secured to them their rights to the land, unless parted 
with b}^ honorable purchase, but recognized the juris- 
diction of the Colony under the English Crown over 
the entire territor3\ In 1669, the Plymouth Court 
granted one hundred acres within the present limits 
of Bristol, to Mr. John Gorham, " if it can be pur- 
chased of the Indians ;" and the remainder to the 



town of Swanze}", " for the promoting of a wa}^ of 
trade in this CoUonie." On the first of Jnl^^, 1672, 
Mr, Constant Southworth, Mr. James Brown, and 
Mr. John Gorham were appointed b}' the Conrt " to 
purchase a certain p'cell of land of the Indians 
granted by the Conrt to the said John Gornm hing 
att Pappasquash Neck."* After the close of Philip's 
war on the thirteenth of Jul}', 1677, the Court 
" rattified, established and confirmed the aforesaid 
one hundred acres of land to John Gorum's heirs 
and successors forever." This land was north of the 
town Cemeter}--, between the Neck road and the Ba}-^, 
and remained in the Gorham name and family for 
several generations down to a quite recent date. 

In 1680, The Plymouth Colony granted to John 
Walle}^, Nathaniel Oliver, Nathaniel B^'field, and 



* Pappasqtiash, Poppasquash, Pappoosqtmws, Pappasqua. 
This name, so vaiionsly spelled, has, according to Dr. 
Trumbull, two plausible derivations; one, from papasqu, 
meaning "double" or " opposite to," applicable to the 
southern end of Bristol, divided by the harbor ; the other, 
from. paupocks2i, meaning "partridge," applicable to this 
place as having been a good hunting ground for partridges. 
Another derivation is fiom Pappoose and Squaws, from the 
fact that in the early Indian w^ars the Pokanokeis sent their 
children and wives to this Neck as a place of safety. This 
last derivation seems to be now generally accepted, al- 
though it is mere speculation, there being no historical 
data to establish it. The name was at first used to desig- 
nate all of the western part of what is now Bristol, includ- 
ing both the beautiful peninsula to which it is now applied 
and the land north, as far as the Warren river. 



8 



Stephen Burton, four merchants of Boston, for 
£1 100, all that portion of territory not previousty sold, 
which is now included in the town of Bristol. The 
whole of Pl3inouth Colony was then settled, except 
this territory, which was the last spot left uncovered 
in the western march of English population. Mr. 
Oliver sold his share of this purchase to Nathan Hay- 
man, another merchant of Boston. 

These gentlemen obtained from the Colon}' special 
privileges, and made liberal provisions for the settle- 
ment of the town. Among the former were exemp- 
tion from all Colony taxes for the term of seven 
3^ears ; the privilege of sending Deputies at once, 
as other towns, according to the number of free- 
men ; a Commissioner's Court to trj^ and deter- 
mine all actions and causes under ten pounds, with 
liberty to appeal to the Court of Plymouth ; also, 
when sixty families were settled, a new Count}^ 
should be organized, and this town should be the 
County or Shire town. Among the latter were the 
laying out of broad and regular streets, with building 
lots of convenient size on them ; the donation of 
lands for the support of the Ministr}^ and Schools ; 
the reservation of a large and beautiful Common in 
the central part of the town ; and the donation of 
six hundred acres for the Common improvement of 
the settlers, and designated as " The Commonage.'* 
The proprietors retained for themselves, each, one- 
eighth part of the original purchase, and, with the 
above donations, put the balance into the market for 
sale at reasonable prices. The liberal inducements 
offered soon drew a number of families here, chiefly 



9 



from Boston, where the proprietors resided, and from 
Plymouth Colon3\ The proprietors, themselves, 
also settled here with their families, and closely iden- 
tified themselves with all the interests of the town. 
On the first of September, 1681, the people assembled 
together and agreed " the name of this town shall 
be Bristol."* 



*The following names appear on the Town Records, as 
being admitted Inliabitants at this date : 

John Walley, Nathan Hayman, Nathaniel Byfield, Ste- 
phen Burton, Proprietors; and Captain Benjamin Church, 
Doctor Isaac Wjddron, Nathaniel Williams, Nathaniel 
Reynolds, John Wilkins, William Ingraham, Nathaniel 
Paine, Christopher Saunders, .Timothy Clarke, John Baf- 
fin, Solomon Curtis, John Finney, Jabez Gorliam, Hugh 
Woodbury, John Rogers, Jabez Howland, Jonathan 
Davenport, Richard Smith, Joseph Baxter, William Brown, 
John Corps, Joseph Ford, John Cary, Edmund Ranger, 
Benjamin Ingell, George Waldron, Thomas Walker, 
Thomas Dagget, Thomas Lewis, John Pope, John Martin, 
David Cary, Increase Roliinson, William Hedge, Daniel 
Landon, Widow Elizabeth Southard, Anthony Fry, John 
Smith, William Hoar, Robert Dutch, James Burrel, Na- 
thaniel Bosworth, Benjamin Jones, Eliashib Adams, 
Zechariah Curtis, John Gladding, Joseph Jacob, Robert 
Taft, Peter Pampelion, Samuel Woodbury, Samuel Gal- 
lup, James Burrows, Uzal Ward well, Benjamin Bosworth, 
Edward Bosworth, Samuel Penfield, George Morye, Jona- 
than Finney. Nicholas Mead, Jeremiah Osborn, John 
Bayley, Joseph Sandy, Jeremiah Finney, Henry Hamton, 
John Thurston, Richard Hammon, William Brenton, 
Watching Athercon, John Wilson, William Throop, Maj. 
Robert Thompson, Thomas Bletsoe, Samuel Cobbett, John 
Birge, Richard White. 



10 



EFFORTS TO SETTLE A GOSPEL MINISTRY. 

The Proprietors of Bristol and their associates 
were fully imbued with the spirit of the Puritan and 
Pilgrim Commonwealths, and took earl}' measures to 
secure an able Gospel Ministr3\ During the first 
year of the settlement the}' obtained the services of 
the Rev. Benjamin Woodbridge,* who removed 



*Mr. Woodbridge was a son of the Rev. John Wood- 
bridge, who was the first pastor of the first Church at 
Andover, Mass., and a grandson of the Rev. John AA'ood- 
BRIDGE, who was a distinguished dissenting minister of 
Stanton, Wiltshire, England. 

His mother was a daughter of th(3 Hon. Thomas Dud- 
ley, married in 1641. His grandmother was a daughter 
of the Kev. Robert Parker, who, by his writings, is well 
known to have been a strong friend and advocate of non- 
conformit3^ 

The father, born about the year 1613, was sent to Oxford 
to be educated, but refusing to take the oath of conformity, 
he was obliged to leave tlie University, and pursued his 
studies privately. In 1634 he came to this country with 
his uncle, the^ Rev. Thomas Parker. In 1641 he married 
and settled at Andover. Upon the invitation of his friends 
in England, he returned there in 1647. In 1662, being 
ejected by the Bartholemew Act, he again came to this 
country and became an assistant to Mr. Parker. Subse- 
quently he was a magistrate of the Colony. He lived to 
see three of Ins sons, JoJin, Benjamin and Timothy, in the 
Ministry, and four of his grandsons preparing for it. He 
died 1695, ISIarcli 17, in tlie eighty-second year of his age. 
"The piety," says his biographer, "which he imbibed in 
his childhood increased with his years. He possessed a 
wonderful command of his passions, and afliictions and 



11 



here with his family and continued his labors about 
six 3'ears. At the first, bej^ond the provision of a 
" honse to live in " and wood sufficient for his famil3''s 
use for one 3^ear, there was no fixed salar}-, but va- 
rious amounts were rated at different times, probably 
according to the supposed need of his family and the 
ability of the town. A house, owned b}' Nathaniel 
B^'field, and situated on B3'field street, near the 
present residence of Hon. I. F. Williams, was hired 
by the town for Mr. Woodridge's residence, and the 
lower south room of the same for Sabbath services 
and other meetings, for which Mr. Byfield received 
£10 rent per year. 

November 29, 1684, it was voted " that Mr.Wood- 
bridge's salary" for this year be made up to Eight}' 
pounds as Mone}', — and for the next 3'ear to be made 
up Ninety pounds as Money, — and for the year 1.686 
to be made up as a Hundred pounds as Money, and 
the sum for each 3'ear to be yearly- made up, dis- 
counting of each year so much as shall be contributed 
by strangers ; and the Hundred per annum to con- 
tinue till the time that, by agreement of the Court of 
Plj'mouth, the, Town is to pay towards the Colony 
charge, and then to come to such further settlement 



losses did not shake his peace. Just before his death he 
refused a glass of wine which was offered him, saying, I 
am going where I shall have better." 

Mr. Woodbridge was ordained over "the Presbyterian 
party " in Windsor, Conn., 1670, March 18, and after a 
Ministry of about ten years came to Bristol. 



12 



with Mr. Wooclbridge as may be according to the 
ability of the Town, whether it be more or less. 
And for the raising of the sum j^earl}^ for Mr. 
AYoodbridge, it is tobeb}^ contribution, if what they 
contribute be not less than their proportion accord- 
ing to such rules as are hereafter set down, and such 
as contribute short, or not at all, to be Rated b}^ the 
Selectmen, and gathered b}'' the Constable each 3'ear." 

This vote met with considerable opposition in the 
town, and the ninth of December following was re- 
scinded, and the following proposal of Mr. Wood- 
bridge was adopted, viz. : "I do propose that from 
the twentj^-fifth day of April next, and so onward 
during my continuance, I will take up with a free 
and weekl}^ contribution. Provided, if it doth not 
amount to sixty pounds per annum, the Town forth- 
with to make it up, and if ever it come to above 
an Hundred per annum, the overplus to be at their 
disposal." 

The labors of Mr. Woodbridge werenot sufficiently 
acceptable to some of the leading citizens to favor his 
settlement, although no opposition was made to 
employing his services temporarily. This state of 
things was unfortunate, both for Mr. Woodbridge, 
who desired a permanent settlement, and for the 
town, which needed a settled Minister and a regu- 
larly organized Church. At length the subject was 
brought before the Town at a meeting, 168G, May 
17, when it was propounded whether any persons 
were against the settling of Mr. Woodbridge. Eleven 
persons voted against his settlement, and between 
twenty and thirty voted in his favor. 



13 



About this time the following letter was addressed 
" to the Rever'd Mr. James Allen, Mr. Increase 
Mather, and Mr. Samuel Willard in Boston.* 

"Bkistol, the 11th May, 1686. 

Gentlemen :— There is a few lines subscribed by ray- 
selfe & some others thai I suppose you will have the peru- 
sal of, & though there is not opportunity fully to lay 
things before you, yet I know not but without coming to 
perticulers you may see reason not to encourage Mr. 
Woodbridge staying with us, I am satisfied that he is not 
like to have a quiet & peaceable settlement ; nay, those 
that are estimated by him to be his greatest friends & most 
desire his settling, yet own they doe not see any probability 
of it. You may hear somewhat of our motions by Mr. 
Byficld, but there is more to be said that probable he will 
mind, but if put upon proofs by Mr. Woodbridges not own- 
ing or denying ^vee must desire time not exspecting this 
would be the manner or the season of issueing but rather 
an opportunity of advising. That I may a little give you 
the state of some things with us please consider 

That here in this town 14 [or 15] men that have been 
members of other churches, Mr, Woodbridge instead of 
getting more Interest in those hath brought it to that now 
but 3 that I can perceive can act for his settling. 

Among them that are the Proprietors soe called being 
about 18 in number, though they are not willing to vote 
him out of town, yet I cannct perceive as things are cir- 
cumstanced that there is above 5 or 6 that act for liis 
settling. 

Take the Town as a ToAvn & I know not wOiether it will 
not be good to see who they be & how many thai are for 
recalling & further encourageing him, both whichlper- 



^Mass. Hist. Coll., VIII., 4th Series, 651. 



14 



ceive he exspects. For Mr. Woodbridges first call which 
he hath built upon ever since was when we were not a 
Town & were not a Third so many concerned as now are. 

Our designe in the paper we have some of us subscribed 
& sent, is not to give an account of how many in the Town 
are dissatisfyed, but that you may see that many of them 
who are principally exspected to act in Church matters are 
not satisfyed & though there be but 7 of the 14 I mention 
above have subscribed, yet I can make out what I there 
write to be true. 

It is exspected that there should be a Town meeting, 
though those Mr. Woodbridge reckoned when he went 
away should promote it have been cold in it since, but 
they have rec'd a note from Mr. Woodbridge that surely 
will put them that are desirous of his returning to be upon 
action & it will be with lesse offence for them that are for 
him to appear then for others that are not satisfyed to act 
against him. It hath been a great wrong for Mr. Wood- 
bridg he hath all ways reckoned his Interest greater than 
it is. Some there are that are sincerely for him no doubt; 
but if he will make it his own act to leave us I doubt not 
but matters with us would quickly be quieted, more than 
the charge of making Mr. Woodbridg satisfaction for what 
he hath laid out; if he demand, it will render the thing 
grievous to some. But if wee part I am for doing all things 
wee are capable of that can rationally be required of us. 
For my own perticuler I can truly say I never have 
managed any perticuler controversie with him. I endeav- 
ored his settlement & promoted his Interest & boare with 
many discouragements as long as I thought I ought or 
could doewith a good conscience. It was allvvays my un- 
happiness, that whatever I managed, really designing his 
benefit, other constructions were made of it by him; but 
that I easyly gott over & thought he should act for himself, 
or they for him that he thought could doe it more to his 
satisfaction. I have slited or took little notice of many 
affronts I have mett with, but some word lie hath said of 



15 



late that I have heard him speake, some own others & that 
I helieve 1 can make out the rest, that I must needs say 
I take not well from him. How forr of late he hath been 
guilty in spreading a false report of me in matters that have 
been much to my damidg & discredit, might be made out 
if need were. That ho should charge me with haveing de- 
signs as deep as the bottomless pitt; That he should charge 
mee not only that my designs tended to it, but that my de- 
sign was to ruin this town, whereas on the contrary it 
sulliciently appears I have rather adventured the undoing 
of myselfe for the good of the Town; That he should 
charge me that because I was sometimes ready to justifye 
my sincerity in all our late motions respecting him, & that I 
had peace in my conscience, lett others charge me how 
they would, That he believed I had some secret inward 
guilt lay on mee that made me speake soe much of nty 
peace in these matters ; & then at a Town Meeting, where 
there was a peaceable issue in ade of some affairs of the 
Town which it is said he is troubled at, that he should say 
he questioned whetlier I had anything to do to vote there. 
These & other such charges & reflections I never deserved 
from him, or had he reason for, but these are things that 
I have not had account of or heard but a little while & 
therefore not in the least to be reckoned as any part of the 
ground of my former unsatisfyedness with him. To goe 
about to give an account of the occasions & reasons of my 
dissatisfiiction & by what degrees it came to that heighth 
th'it now it is, would be a larger taske than I can now goe 
about ; but if what Mr. Byfield hath to offer be no ground 
I doubt not but I shall be able to say th.it & more 
when there is opportunity. 

These lines are writt in haste. Be pleas^ to put a can- 
did construction thereon. I thanke God I hope I can 
truely say I would be found doeing of that which is my 
duty, could easyly passe by personal injurys. It is not the 
matter of maintenance or anything of any such nature, but 
an assured & I think well gi'ounded confidence that his 



16 



settling here is not like to be with love & peace & any com- 
petent satisfaction to those that are principally aimed at 
for can-ying on church affairs. If he come again there is 
no hopes of settling church affairs that I foresee; if it be, 
it will be in some strange and unusual way, & if there be 
not a settlement of these matters according to the practice 
of other Churches what sober men that are among us that 
can will endeavor to remove from us, & we expect no so- 
ber men to come to us & our place indeed will be outdone. 
I have mett with several losses & disappointments of late 
& unexpected dealings from some men, but I reckon this 
not among the least of my troubles. I hope God will doe 
me good by all. I should earnestly desire & gladly accept 
a few lines from you to advise me in anything you thinke 
necessary. Shall not add but my service & hearty respects 
to each of you, desiring your prayers for mee, that I may 
be kept in this hour of temptation & that I may be directed 
in my duty & found doeing those things that may be for 
the glory of God and the best good of this place. 
Your friend & servant, 

John W alley." 

The following is a copy of the document referred 
to by Mr. Walley and addressed to the same per- 
sons, at the same date or a little before.* 

[This letter, with the exception of the signatures 
of the other persons whose names are attached, is 
in the hand-writing of Mr. Walley.] 

" Whereas^od who setteth the bounds of the habita- 
tions of the children of men ; hath in his sovereign wis- 
dome disposed soe many of us to this place as he hath, wee 



^Mass. Hist. Coll., VIII., 4th series, 695. 



17 



do desire to be found doeing those things in our several 
places & capacities that may be for the glory of His name, 
the promoting the Interest & Kingdome of Jesus Christ & 
to be laying of such foundations as might be for the good 
of ourselves & our Children after us «& as it is our duty soe 
it hath been our earnest desire that we might enjoy not 
onely the preaching of the word, but other the ordinances 
of Jesus Christ & although from time to time wee have 
been in the use of means in order thereunto (yet to our 
griefe) we find things more & more unlikely for obtaining 
the same & our motions therein have been hindered, as 
wee thinke by him who should liave most encouraged the 
same. The Rev'd Mr. Woodbridge, in his paper he left 
with the Town speaks of his return, if it might be with 
peace, incouragement and joynt concurrence, neither of 
which wee thinke he will procure & when we have been 
discoursing about gathering a church in this place he hath 
not been willing to promote the same in any way, without 
he could see some certainty of his being settled & called to 
office therein. And wee the subscribers, having had op- 
pertunity to take notice of Mr. Woobdridge his methods & 
designs among us, have reason to think his settlement here 
will not be for the glory of God, his good, nor ours ; he 
having had many oppertuni ties wherein to have had a com- 
petent comfortable & quiet settlement among us & he never 
having embraced the same & being he would not be per- 
suaded to fall in therewith, makes us ready to think that his 
worke will be rather in some other place than here & that 
he is not the man that God intends to doe us good by. 
And if he should be voated in as a minister by a major part 
of the Town (which we question) or imposed upon us by 
others we must beare it and desire" we may as becomes 
Christians ; but to be active for his settlement & especially 
to have any hand in calling him to office amongst us wee 
must be excused in. It is our griefe that things fall out 
soe among us. Wee are troubled for him as well as for 
ourselves, & doe solemnly declare it is not out of any 
6 



18 



pr'ejudice to his person or any perticular interest or contro- 
versie of our own, but the keeping of a good conscience in 
tlie discharg of our duty wee owe to God, to the Town, to 
ourselves & one to another; & anj^thing wee can doe for 
him, that wee may & ought to doe, wee would not be want- 
ing in, & wee do believe that if he would make it his own 
act to leave us, it would be the readyest way to settle us, & 
we trust God will provide for us. To give the reasons of 
our discouragements wee have not now time lor, but if any 
necessity lyes upon it wee think wee should have time, & 
if the decision of matters is to be by a Council wee thinke 
it ought to be upon the place, & then will be best opportu- 
nity to understand the state of things with us. In the 
meane time your counsel & advice to us & prayers for us 
is earnestly desired by your servants to our power. 

John Carey, 
Hugh Woodbury, 
Nathaniel Reynells, 
Nathaniel Bos worth, 
John W alley, 
Nathaniel Byfield. 

A few weeks later another letter respecting this 
subject was addressed " To the Reverend Mr. In- 
crease , Mather, Teacher of the Second Church of 
Christ in Boston. To be communicated to the 
Church."* The following is a copy of this letter : 

"Honored, Reverend & Beloved in our Lord 
Jesus, — It is, we doubt not, by the Churches and faithful] 
in Christ sadly observed, that there are vijrie uncomforta- 
ble disagreements among us in this Place, which have an 
Evill & perilous tendency. 



L *Mass. Hist. Coll., VIII., 654. 



19 



And (with s^ie^Q wee speake it) of such a Nature they 
are, and such an influence they have that our peace is 
much impaired, the worke of Christ Obstructed, our quiet 
settlement in a way of Church Order and Gospell fellow- 
ship for the present wholly hindered and the name of God 
much dishonored. 

And although some of us (of God's abundant Grace, and 
not for any worth in us) have sometimes t:isted the Good 
of Communion with God in His ordinances, which, if our 
hearts deceive us not, leaves such an impression upon our 
spirits that we would be willing to Deny ourselves to the 
uttermost; Rather than become Guiltye of not doing what 
God Requires of us. to our severall abillityes & in our 
severall capacityes for the enjoyment thereof, and the 
settling of a Gospel Church and JVIinistrie here in a way of 
peace and order : yet soe it hath pleased God to denye His 
Presence and Blessing with our endeavours for some years 
past, that our essays hitherto have bin successles, and our 
condition at this time is very deplorable. We do therefore 
Earnestly Request yourselves in our present difficultie to 
aftoard us your helpe by your Elders and Messengers upon 
the third Wednesday of July next, that being here at that 
time Assembled they may fully hear & Consider our Case, 
and give us the Counsell & Advice in the Lord, who, we 
hope will open our hearts to Receive it; in order where- 
unto we intreate your prayers, that we may see, & be hum- 
bled for our sins, which have been a provocation to God & 
that the Lord will Graciously be reconciled to us & accept 
us in the Lord Jesus, in whom we are 

Your Assured friends to serve you, 
John W alley, 
Natiial. Byfield, 
Nathaniel Reynells, 
Nathaniel Boswokth, 
John Caky, 
Hugh Woodbury. 
Bristoll, June 28th, 1686. 
For ourselves & in the behalfe of sundry others." 



20 



We have found no record of the Council thus 
called. It seems highly probable that it resulted in 
the withdrawal of Mr. Woodbridge by his own act, 
and the restoration of peace.* 

*He was not long after settled in Kittery, Me. In 1691 
he resided in Portsmoutli, N. H. In 1698 he was living in 
Charlestown, Mass., and was employed by the town of 
Medford to preach for six months, provision being made 
for conveyance from his home to Medford every Satur- 
day, and return every Monday. His preaching was so 
generally acceptable that movements were made to give 
him a call, but matters were not hastened, and, at length, 
difficulties arose which prevented his settlement. He was, 
however, anxious to settle, and persisted in acting as the 
town's minister, contrary to the advice of a Council of 
Clergymen and Elders from Boston ; and, in spite of votes 
of the town in 1704, " that what they had done about Mr. 
W.'s settlement be null and void," and in 1705, "that they 
would not proceed to settle Mr. W. as their minister." 
With a few earnest friends he attempted to gather a church 
" contrary to the advice of the Elders in the neighborhood, 
without advice or respect of the inhabitants of the town, 
and without the countenance and concurrence of the 
neighboring churches." This highly irregular attempt was 
met by an earnest protest from the town. Appeals were 
then made to the " General Sessions of Peace," at Charles- 
town, and to " Gov. Dudley and his Council," both of 
which were decided adversely to the claims and course of 
Mr. W. Finally, the case was referred to a Council of 
Churches wht) censured both parties, and advised the quiet 
withdrawal of Mr. W. The advice was not followed, how- 
ever, and Mr. W. continued to preach until his death, 1710, 
January 15, after a residence of netu'ly ten years, aged 
sixty-five years ; and on the same day, with commendable 



21 



ERECTION OF A HOUSE OF WORSHIP. 

The first public religious service in Bristol was in 
the dwelling house of Deacon Nathaniel Bos- 
WORTH, a building still standing, occupied as the 
residence of J. DeW. Perry, Esq. Afterwards 
Sabbath services were held in Colonel Byfield's 
house, B3'field street, to which reference has pre- 
viously been made. These arrangements were tem- 
porary, to continue onl}^ until such time as the 
inhabitants could build a House of Worship. 

In the " Grand Articles " of agreement between 
the Proprietors and those to whom they made grants 
of land and other privileges, it was stipulated among 
other things, " that ever}^ one shall and will, accord- 
ing to his estate, pay his proportion of the charge 
for the erecting and building of the Meeting House 
and Minister's House and accommodations there- 
unto, when and at such time as those that have the 
major part proprietary in said land shall nominate 
and appoint." 

October 24th, 1683, at a Town meeting, two hun- 
dred and fift}' pounds were ordered to be raised, to 
defray the expense of building a Meeting House ; 
and John Walley, Nathaniel Byfield, Benjamin 
Church, John Cary and John Rogers were ap- 



promptitude and just liberality, the town voted ten pounds 
to defray the expenses of his funeral, — an act which 
proves that they would not let the sun go down upon their 
animosity.— ^rooA:6-' Hist, of Medf or d, 203-208. 



22 



pointed a committee to superintend its erection. 
Measures were prompt!}^ taken to carry out this vote. 
A plan of house was soon adopted, and the work 
commenced. Citizens who could be well emplo^'ed 
on the building were so emplo3'ed and the A'alue of 
their labor allowed on their taxes. The timbers were 
cut from the Common, near by, and with united zeal 
and courage the; work progressed until a spacious 
and well constructed Sanctuar}^ stood before them to 
the jo}^ of their hearts, a monument of their self- 
denying interest in the Cause of the Eedeemer. This 
House was erected on the spot where now stands the 
State Court House. We find no record of its exact 
dimensions, but tradition describes it as " spacious ; 
square in its form like the Apocalyptic City ; clap- 
boarded inside and out ; having double galleries one 
above the other ; with a cap-roof, surmounted in the 
centre with a cupola and bell, from which a rope was 
suspended directly beneath, b}^ which ' Goody 
Corps,' the sexton's widow, used to ring the people 
to church for three pounds per year, as her lamented 
husband had done ere he died ;" over the preacher's 
head, a dormer window, and on all sides double rows 
of windows for the ingress of light ; and the floor, 
divided into square pews with oaken doors, " through 
the rounds of which the children used to peep at 
each other when the people rose for prayer and 
praise. " These pews were constructed from time to 
time by the citizens as the}^ were able, by leave of 
the town, and several years elapsed before the floor 
was all covered. 



23 



Considering the pecuniary circumstances of the 
people, this effort was a remarkable instance of self- 
sacrifice and consecration to the higher interests of 
religion. The}^ were few in number, feeble in re- 
sources, and had scarcely sheltered their families in 
their humble dwellings, when the}' gave their best 
enero^ies to building a habitation of God. At a sac- 
rifice of toil and mone^^, of which we in our com- 
parative abundance can have little conception, they 
secured for themselves this Religious Home, and with 
glad songs of praise dedicated it to the worship ot 
Almighty God. }Ve ma}' smile at the severe sim- 
plicity of st3'le, devoid of architectural beauty ; 
unprotected in winter b}' warming apparatus, and in 
summer offering literall}' to the swallow a place to 
build her nest and lay her 3'oung upon its unceiled 
arches ; its family pews square and roomy ; and its 
high pulpit, surmounted with pendent sounding 
board, seeming ready to fall and crush the man of 
God beneath its weight, as he discoursed of the awful 
wrath of God towards impenitent sinners ; 3'et 
we cherish the most tender and hallowed associations 
clustering around this first Sanctuary of the fathers 
in the wilderness. 

This quaint building, laboriously^ erected by the 
pioneers of our civilization, and dedicated to the 
worship of Almight}' God, was the only Sanctuarj' in 
town for nearl}' fort}' years, and the home of the first 
church for a round centur3\ Here our pious ances- 
try sat and listened to messages of Divine Truth and 
salvation, raised their hearts in prayer and praise to 



24 



God, and received nourishment of spiritual life. 
Here were they trained for the kingdom of glort, 
and to-day their notes of praise respond to angelic 
harps around the throne of God in heaven. Although 
of the people who once lived on earth and worship- 
ped here not one remains, and of the people now 
living not one ever saw this House of God, we cher- 
ish tender thoughts of the past, and preserve with 
veneration the door of the pastor's pew, the only 
remaining relic of the Sanctuary where our fathers 
worshipped God for one hundred j^ears. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH. 

Not long after the retirement of Mr. Woodbridge, 
the Rev. Samuel Lee, D. D., an English dissenting 
Clerg3nnan, celebrated among his contemporaries as 
a man of profound learning and ardent piety, arrived 
in Boston, and was cordially received by his Breth- 
ren and the Churches. Great interest had been 
awakened for the cause of Christ in Bristol, which 
seemed to suffer fi^om the divisions that had sprung 
up under the Ministry of Mr. Woodbridge. Friends 
in Boston felt that it was of the highest importance 
that a man of commanding abilities and established 
reputation for soundness in the faith and wisdom 
should at once occupy this field, around whom the 
people might rally in union, and under whose direc- 
tion a Church of Christ might be founded. At their 
suggestion he visited Bristol, and at once the hearts 
of the people went out to him as being sent of God, 
and the conviction became almost universal that he 



25 



was the man for whose coming they had prayed, 
suffered and waited. 

Measures were promptly taken to secure his set- 
tlement. The Town Records, 1686, November 23, 
give the following account of his enthusiastic recep- 
tion b}^ the people, who went from the Town Meeting 
in a body to enforce their call by the magnetism of 
their presence. 

" Then voted and agreed by a full vote and unanimous 
consent, to call the Rev. Samuel Lee to the work of the 
ministry in this town, which was accordingly done by the 
whole that were present at the Town Meeting, waiting on 
him at Mr. Byfield's, Avhere one appointed manifested their 
invitation to him and he took it into consideration." 

Sixty pounds per year was voted b}' the town for 
his salary, and fifty pounds towards building him a 
house.* The lands for the Ministry set apart by the 
Proprietors in the settlement of the town were also 
voted him. This call he accepted, and began his 
labors 1687, April 10. 



*As speedily as practicable, a spacious mansion, built in 
the old English style and, it is said, by fai the most elegant 
dwelling in town, was erected on the east side of Thames 
street, which was then the shore of the harbor. This house 
was afterwards owned by Jeremiah Finney, descended 
by inheritance to his son, JosiAii Finney, and was the 
birthplace of all his children. In it was born the wife of 
the late William DeWolf, Esq., who, with her sister 
Martha, occupied in their early days the sacred study 
chamber where the man of God studied, wrote and prayed 



26 



The third day of May following was observed as a^ 
day of fasting and pra3'er, in the midst of which 
sacred season the Church was organized in due form 
by the mutual consent of eight fathers of the town. 
The following is a copy of the record of these events 
taken from the earliest records of the Church, in the 
almost illegible hand of Deacon John Carey, whose 
name heads the page. 

"In the year 1687, it pleased God to bringe that rever- 
end Mr. Lee to Bristol, and [it was (?; ] on visit to se the 
plac[e] and preach to the peopell. Ther was a joyntvoat 
of the town for his taking charg heer to preach the gos- 
pel], and in order of settlinge theplac[e] in gospell order; 
which after some short spae[ej came with his wife and 
family to settel heer." 

" The 10th of April he begins ^^dth us, in order there- 
unto '87. ****** 

"May the third was the cliurch gathered by the mutual 
consent and agreement of thos[e] persons mentioned. 

Major John Wallet, Captain Nathaniel Byfield, 
Captain Benjamin Chukcii, Nathaniel Reynolds, 
John Carey, Hugh Woodbuky, Goodman Thkoup, 
Nathaniel Bosworth whom they elected Deacon." 



for his beloved people. The two eldest of Mr. DeWolf s 
children were also born here. For many years this house 
was known as '• The Old Bay State," we know not why, 
unless it may be because it was so redolent with the 
associations of Puritan ideas, which are the glory of Massa- 
chusetts. The only relic of it now remaining is a p.-ine of 
glass inscribed with the name Martha Finney, in the 
possession of a descendant of the family. 

The 8th of May '87 was tlie first sacrament in Bristol : 
Con.-0-4-3 the Contribution-0-11-2. 



27 



Major Walley's daughter Elizabeth that day baptized, 
Nathaniel Reynolds his sone Benjamin bajDtized.— The two 
first in that Church." 

Thus was the First Church gathered in Bristol, the 
first of the Congregational order within the present 
limits of Rhode Island.* At the organization, and 
for man}' years afterwards, the Church was known as 
"The Church of Christ in Bristol." After the 
incorporation of the Catholic Congregational Society 
in 1784, the Church was, b}' common consent, called 
" The Catholic Congregational Church." By 
this name it was known until, in order to hold and 
protect Charitable funds entrusted to its care, it was 
incorporated b}" act of the General Assembl}' in 1869, 
under the title " The First Congregational Church 
IN Bristol." This is our present name and appro- 
priate designation, though we* be no less a simple 
" Church of Christ" than when we began, and are 
no less "Catholic" in our fellowship with all who 
love our Lord in sincerit}', and strive to do his will. 

Our Church life began in pra3'er to God, who gra- 
ciously directed those sturdy- pioneers as they bowed 



*The Church at East Providence is older, but its mem- 
bers are from both East Providence and Seekonk, Mass., 
and it has always been identified in Conference relations 
with the Massachusetts Churches. The Church in Bar- 
rington has also been claimed as being organized at an 
earlier date, but it is stated in Bicknell's History, p. 180, 
" that no distinct Church with a thorough Congregational 
polity was established until after the year 1711, and prior 
to 1718." 



28 



before Him. Firmly, therefore, were the foundations 
of our spiritual edifice laid, and though the storms 
of earth have beaten against it, all these 3^ears it has 
stood, because it was founded upon a rock. 

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES OF THE EARLY MEMBERS. 

The constituent members of the Church were all 
men of excellent character and leading influence in 
the town, and some of them were also prominent 
actors in Colonial affairs, and held stations of honor 
which gave them a national reputation. 

John Walley, the first on the list of members, 
one of the four original proprietors of the town, was 
highly respected and honored with various offices 
which he discharged with marked ability and fidelity. 
In all efforts for the civil, social, moral and religious 
welfare of the community he was among the fore- 
most of the citizens, and favored the most liberal 
provisions for these ends. He loved the Church of 
Christ with singular devotion, and it was a great 
grief to him that the organization of the Church in 
Bristol w^as so long delayed. He was ever the warm 
friend and hearty supporter of the Gospel Ministry, 
and, while he conscientious!}' opposed the settlement 
of Mr. Woodbridge, and, perhaps more than an}' 
other man, was instrumental in his removal, he yet 
rejoiced in all the good he accomplished, and was 
among the readiest to give him liberal pecuniary 
support as long as he remained. 

Nor were the public services of Mr. Walley con- 
fined to Bristol. He was well known throughout 



29 



New England, and especially in Boston, where he 
had lived and engaged successfulh' and honorabl}^ in 
mercantile pursuits, his valuable public labors were 
in frequent calL He was, for a season. Judge of the 
Superior Court, aftd a member of the G^overnor's 
Council, In 1600 he had command of the land 
forces in the expedition of Sir William Phipps, 
against Canada, of which he published a journal 
which is preserved in Hutchinson's history. Although 
this expedition, was unsuccessful, it involved much 
heroic self-sacrifice and refl^ct^d honor both upon 
the men and their commanding officer, 

Mr. Walley w^as a son of the Rev. Thomas 
Walley, of London, who was at one time Rector of 
St. Mar} 's White Chapel, and said to be a man of 
great esteem ; w^ho was one of the eight ministers 
who came from London in the " Society," Captain 
Pierce, arriving in Boston, 1663, May 24, and who 
died on Sunday, 1678, March 24, aged sixty-one 
years. 

He came before his father and settled in Boston, 
whence he removed to Bristol, 

His residence in this town was in the rear of State 
street, and his dwelling, substantially built after the 
style of those earl^^ times, is still standing and 
knowm as '^ the Walley house." His family con- 
sisted of wife and three children, two daughters and 
a son born here. 

His daughter Sarah married Charles Chauncy, of 
Boston, and was the mother of a son of the same 
name, who became " one of the most distinguished 
7 



30 



divines on our side of the ocean," the jnnior Pastor 
of the Old South Church, referred to in the follow- 
ing notices of Mr. Byfield and family. 

On the second of March, 1692, he was left a 
sorrowful widower b}^ the decease of his loving and 
dutiful wife, the sharer of his jo3'S and burdens, who 
departed in the triumphs of Christian faith. In the 
latter part of his life he returned to Boston, where 
he died in calmness and humble reliance upon the 
Great Redeemer for mercy, 1712, January 11th, in 
the sixty -ninth year of his age. 

" The high trusts imposed by his country," says his Bio- 
grapher, '• were discharged with ability and fidelity. To 
his wisdom as a Counsellor and his impartiality as a Judge, 
he added an uncommon sweetness and candor of spirit and 
the various virtues of the Christian. His ftiith was justi- 
fied by his integrity, his works of piety and charity." 

Nathaniel Byfield was the son of the Rev. 
Richard Byfield, " the laborious faithful pastor of 
Long Ditton in Surrey, England, who was one of 
the oldest of the ejected ministers in that county- ; 
who afterwards retired toMontlack, where he usuall}^ 
preached twice every Lord's day in his own famil}', 
and did so the very Lord's day before his death, in 
1664, aged sixty-seven years;" who is described as 
" a man of great piety^, zeal and exemplaiy holiness 
of conversation ;" who was one of the distinguished 
Westminster Assembl}', that prepared that admirable 
compendium of Orthodox Faith, known as " the 
[shorter Catechism." His mother was a sister of 
Bishop Juxon, a noted family in England. He was 



31 



the youngest of twenty-one cliildren, and one of the 
sixteen that sometimes attended their pious parents 
to the place of public worship. He was born in 1653 ; 
arrived at Boston in 1674, and conceiving a love to 
this country" resolved to settle here. According!}', 
he married the following j'ear Miss Deborah Clarke, 
and commenced business as a merchant in Boston. 
In this he was eminently successful, accumulating 
considerable propert}', and, at the close of Philip's 
w^ar, invested a portion of his wealth in the purchase 
of this township. Here he became an early settler, 
casting in his lot with the pioneers of the wilderness, 
sharing with them the toils and hardships of laying 
the foundations of a new and well regulated commu- 
nity. He continued a citizen of this town fort}'- 
four 3'ears, and his infloence was great in all civil 
and ecclesiastical affairs. His residence was on the 
beautiful peninsula known as Pappoosquaws Point, 
west of the town, and his farm embraced nearly 
all of the peninsula.*. Here was his famil}- tomb, 
prepared b}' himself, located on the estate of the 
late William D'Wolf, Esq., whose remains are 
traced to this da}-, in which were buried members of 
his famil}' who deceased during his residence in 

*It has been generally supposed thai his dwelling house 
stood on the spot where Deacon William Manchester now 
resides, but recent investigations lead to the belief that the 
venerable mansion now occupied by ihe heirs of the late 
Mrs. Sarah Herreshoff, was built originally by Colonel 
Byfield and occupied as his residence. 



32 



Bristol. Within the recollection of persons now liv- 
ingy the name of " Priscilla '* and a part of " By- 
field," were distinctly traced upon the head-stone 

He was also a large real estate owner in the com- 
pact part of the town. He had five children born 
here by his \Tife Deborah, three of whom died young. 
The other two lived to be married, the 3'oungest to 
the Hon. Lieutenant Goternor Taylor^ of Massa- 
chusettSy who soon after died without issue ; the 
other to Edward Ltde, Esq., by whom she had 
five children y three of whom grew up and left de- 
scendants. 

Mr. Byfield was thrifty in his habits, catttolic in 
spirit, and generous in his benefactions, giving away 
systematically and cheerfull}' a portion of his income, 
amounting often to several hundred pounds 3^earl3". 
One instance of his charities mention etl as worth}^ of 
special remembrance for the good it accomplished, 
was the publishing and gi^atuitously distributing an 
edition of ten thousand copies of the Assembl}''^ 
Shorter Catechism. He was alwaj^s a faithful and 
efficient friend of Education and Religion, and a lib- 
eral supporter of the Gosj^el Ministr3\ To his wis- 
dom, foresight and liberality are we chiefl}' indebted 
for our broad and regular streets, our large and beau- 
ful Common, audi especiall}^ the seJiool lands tvhick 
'jvere chiefly his own generous gift to the toicn, the 
income from which have been a material help to the 
cause of education here and a perpetual public charity. 
Two cups of our Communion Service of solid silver 
are inscribed as ^' the gift of Nathaniel B^^field, 



33 



1G93." Many other tokens of his interest in and 
liberal aid of the Church and Ministr}^ here are held 
in remembrance with us to this da}'. 

Nor was his large generosity confined to the limits 
of Bristol. His eminent abilities, natural and ac- 
quired, fitted him for a high position in affairs of 
State, and he cheerfully gave his services to the 
various offices, both civil and militar}-, to which he 
was called by the suffi'ages of his fellow citizens as 
well as by royal appointment. Few have passed 
through a greater variety of scenes in public life. 
" In the field he quickly arrived to one of the high 
est places of power. In the State he was honored 
with man}' betrustments ; was in commission for the 
Peace and Judge of Probate ; was several times 
chosen Speaker in the Honorable House of Repre- 
sentatives ; sat chief thirt3'-eight j-ears in the Court 
of General ^ssions of the Peace and Common Pleas 
for the county of Bristol, as afterwards he did two 
3'ears for the count}' of Suffolk ; was one of His 
Majesty's Council for the province of Massachusetts 
Bay, a great number of years ; and had the honor of 
receiving five several commissions for Judge of the 
Vice Admiralty from three crowned heads ; from 
King WilUiam, in 1697 ; from Queen Anne, in the 
years 1702, 1703 and 1709, and from King George 
the Second in 1728." Being well informed for the 
exercise of authority, his very looks inspiring re- 
spect, loving order and possessed of a fine elocution, 
sincerely devoted to the interests of the community, 
he discharged all these trusts to popular acceptance. 



34 



His name throughout New England was a household 
word ; and one of the towns of Massachusetts, 
although he had no special connection with its his- 
tor}^, honored itself and paid him the homage of its 
respect by taking his name which it holds to the 
present day. 

The wisdom and justice of Mr. Byfield's acts as a 
Civil Judge, are apparent from the remarkable fact 
that in no case were his decisions ever reversed on 
appeal to higher powers. It is still more interesting 
to note his freedom from those superstitious preju- 
dices which blinded even some of the best men of his 
time, and which led to the cruel proceedings in the 
matter of " the Salem Witchcraft" that are a dark 
blot on the page of histor3\ Those proceedings he 
had the courage to oppose and condemn ; and had 
his counsels been followed, no innocent person would 
have suffered death as a witch. *^ 

He did not escape the common lot of public men 
to sutfer unjust aspersion and severe criticisms from 
political rivals in his own time, and from the detrac- 
tions of prejudiced or ill-informed historians who 
came after him ; but well authenticated facts give 
him a highl}^ honorable name. 

Nathaniel Byfield surely made his mark, and 
the footprints of his influence will be traced to the 
end of time. With all his grand and noble works of 
life, he had a steady and unshaken faith in the truths 
of the Gospel, and died in the lively hope of the 
glorious Redeemer. In 1724, on account of his 
advanced age, he returned with his family to Boston, 



35 



where he closed his long and useful life 1733, June 
6th, in the eightieth year of his age. The sermon 
preached at his funeral b^^ his pastor in Boston, Rev. 
Charles Chauncy, U. D., and afterwards published, 
was from the text John 1:42: Jesus saw Nathaniel 
coming to him and saith of him, behold an Israelite 
indeed in ichom is no guile; A A^ery clear and forci- 
ble presentation of the beauty and worth of " a 
guileless character ;" at the close of which it is 
applied to Mr. Byfield in these words, viz. : 

" I have no need to insert here, not doubting your thot's 
were upon our Nathaniel while I was representing the 
character in the text ; the application was so easie and ob- 
vious ; and I would hope unexceptionably : having care- 
fully avoided saying anything but what I thot in justice 
belonged to him." 

An extract from the " Weekly News Letter," of 
June 14, 1733, appended to the published discourse, 
mentions, with other facts that are embodied in the 
foregoing sketch, the following : 

" On the 6th of this instant, between the hours of 1 and 
2 in the morning, died at his house here, after about a 
month's languishment, the Honourable Nathaniel 
Byfield, Esq., in the 80th year of his age: Having long 
been a greiit ornament both of our Church and State. * * 

" For his character, justice to his memory requires it 
should be said — He was greatly valued and honored by 
those acquainted with him, for his superior genius and 
abilities; his great natural courage. Vigor and Activity; 
his plain, unaft'ected, cheerful and instructive >vay of con- 
versation; his cat hohc spirit; his real Integi'ity, and un- 
questionable faithfulness and Honesty; his zeal against 



36 



sin, and to maintain public peace and good order ; his first 
regard to the worship of God, and constant and devout 
and exemplary attendance on it both in Public and private, 
and in one word his love to the Ministry, the Churches and 
Civil and Religious interests of this people : All which 
being united in the same person and in an eminent degree, 
as it rendered his life an extensive blessing, so his Death 
just matter for lamentation. 

lie lived with the wife of his youth till 1717, upwards of 
forty years ; and the following year married Mks. Sarah 
Levekett, youngest daughter to the Honorable Gov- 
ernor Leverett, with whom he lived till 1730 : when he 
was again left a sorrowful widower. He died with great 
inward peace and serenity of soul: and was honorably 
interred last Monday — a funeral prayer being first made by 
the elder Pastor of the Old Church to whose Communion 
he belonged. He has left his grandson Byfield Lyde, 
Esq. ; (son-in-law to his excellency Governor Belcher) 
Heir to the bulk of his Estate." 

The last will of Mr. Byfield, dated 1732, Decem- 
ber 6th, shows that he had large real estate in Boston, 
including mansion house, coach house, stable, cow 
house and two gardens joining ; also, rope walk, 
ware house, wharf and flats ; also, other tenement 
houses, stores, etc., and lands covering a large por- 
tion of Fort Hill, and various sites from Beacon 
street west and north to Cambridge street, now 
among the most valuable in the cit}' ; also large es- 
tate in several New England towns, together with 
extensive tracts of land of several thousand acres in 
Maine and Vermont. His Christian character is 
manifest in the provisions of this Will, both the rever- 
ent expression of faith towards God, and bequests of 



37 • 

charity, together with an equitable division of 
property among his heirs after the full payment of 
all debts and other bequests. It was his principle 
and practice to give largely in life to religious and 
charitable objects, and he expected the heirs of his 
estate to follow his example in this respect ; accord- 
ingly there were no large charitable bequests made 
in this Will, 3'et as a token of personal affection and 
respect for their office, he bequeathed gifts to " all 
and every " Minister of Christ, of every denomina- 
tion, in Boston, to the President and professors in 
Cambridge, and additional bequests to his " dear 
pastors," FoxcROFT and Chauncy, of the Old South 
Church. His servants were remembered with Chris- 
tian affection and counsel, and freedom^ with ample 
provisions to secure the enjoj^ment of the same, was 
given to a favorite servant to take effect six months 
after his decease. 

Mr. Bj'field was buried in the " Granary Burial 
Ground," near Park street Church. The tombstone 
has inscribed the Byfield Coat of Arms, with the 
name Lyde cut on the shield. The stone which 
marked Mr. B3'field's grave has long since disap- 
peared, and is supposed either to be destroyed or, in 
the changes made in the tomb, to be concealed from 
view. The following epitaph, the production of Rev. 
Mather Byles, was inscribed : 

" Byfield beneath in peaceful slumber lies; 
Byfield the good, the active and the wise ; 
His manly frame contained an equal mind ; 
Faithful to God, and generous to mankind ; 



3$ 



High in his country's Honors long he stood, 

Succored distress and gave the hungry focd; 

Injustice steady, in devotion warm, 

A loyal subject, and Patriot firm ; 

Through every age his dauntless soul was tried : 

Great while he lived, but greater when he died." 

Mrs. Deborah Byfield, the wife of his 3'oiith 
and companion for about forty years, was the daugh- 
ter of Captain Thomas Clarke, of Boston. She 
united with the Church in Bristol, soon after its organi- 
zation, and tradition sa3's, was one of the most valua- 
ble and useful of the female members, a fit associate 
and help-meet of her worth}- husband. We regret 
that there are no records or materials from which' a 
more extended notice can be given. As her decease 
occurred in 1717, several years before his return to 
Boston, it is supposed that she was buried here in 
the Family Tomb on his farm ; but as her death is 
not recorded in the town books, it is possible that 
she died and was buried among her family friends in 
Boston. 

Mrs. Sarah Byfield, the beloved consort of his 
riper 3'ears, who died in Boston, 1730, December 21, 
was buried in the Burial Ground where his remains 
were afterwards placed b}^ her side. The Weekl}' 
News Letter, No. 1405, of date December 29, 1730, 
gives the following notice of the funeral : 

" Yesterday were buried here the Remains of that truly 
honorable and devout Gentlewoman Mrs. Sarah Byfield 
amidst the affectionate Respects and lamentations of a 
numerous concourse . Before carrying out the Corpse a 



39 



Funeral prayer was made by one of the Pastors of the Old 
Church to whose communion she belonged : which tho' a 
custom in the country towns is a singular instance in this 
place, but it's wished may prove a leading example to the 
general practice of so christian and decent a custom. The 
Pall was held up by the Hon. the late Lieut. Gov. 
DuMMEK with other gentlemen of his Majesly^s Council. 
Among the mourning Relatives went his excellency 
GovEKNOK Belchek, and his Honour Lieut. Gov. 
Tailek, followed by a long train of persons of public dis- 
tinction and private character; paying their last offices to 
the Dead, and uniting their sincere condolence with the 
living," 

On the Sabbath following her decease and burial, 
her pastor, the Rev. Charles Chauncy, D. D., 
preached a discourse from the text, James 4 : 14, on 
" Man's life considered under the similitude of a 
vapor," from which we make the following extracts : 

" She had naturally a weak and tender Body, but a 
strong and noble soul ; which being cultivated and en- 
riched by a good education and great industry rendered 
her truly amiable and desirable, and fitted her to be a 
blessing in the station Providence had assigned her. 

" Her temper was lively and cheerful, yet far from light 
and vain : being well ballast by a singular discretion. In 
her most pleasant hours, she was never unfit to enter upon 
a serious subject, and always treated it with a becoming 
gravity and reverance. 

" She had a good taste in conversation and was exceed- 
ingly well turned for it, having a ready wit, a sprightly 
genius, an easy smooth way of expressing herself: and 
bemg able without stift'ness or ostentation to be both en- 
tertaining and profitable. 

" She was an honour to her sex, in her exemplary De- 
portment under all the various characters and relations of 



40 



life : As a neighbor kind and pitiful : As a friend, true and 
hearty: As a wife tender and dufiful, engaging in her car- 
riage : reverent and respectful : As mistress in a fomily, 
discreet in her management, neat and cleanly, tho'tful of 
all under her care, indulgent and compassionate to her ser- 
vants, especially concerned about their souls, and frequent 
in teaching them the good knowledge of the Lord ; in her 
treatment of strangers, hospitable; courteous, pleasant, 
observing and edifying to those that came to visit her. 

"But her chief excellency and whatmosc recommended 
to all that knew her was her undissembled piety. She 
had an habitual prevailing awe and reverence of God upon 
her heart, which early discovered itself and all along 
through the course of her life, not only in an utter abhor- 
rence of everything that savored of irreverance but in a 
due treatment of those things wherein the Divine honor is 
nearly concerned. She loved the House and sanctified the 
day of God and gave her constant, devout attendance on 
the public worship and all Gospel ordinances; paid a sin- 
gular regard to the Holy Scriptures ; valued the Ministers 
of Religion ; and had an universal regard to all good men. 
But above all Christ was the object of her love her ftiith, 
her hope. Him she embraced as the alone Redeemer of 
souls ; Him she trusted with the great affair of her eternal 
salvation; him she loved with her whole heart; Him she 
made it her care to please in all things ; His image she 
was adorned with, and the graces of His Spirit she lived 
in the daily exercise of ; And Ave charitably believe she is 
gone to be with Christ, which is best of all."* 

Benjamin Church, the third on the list of origi- 



*For these memoranda of Mrs. Byfield, also items given 
in sketches of Mr. Byfield, we are indebted to a volume of 
Sermons in " the Prince Library," Boston, containing the 
two funeral discourses of Dr. Chauncy. 



41 



nal members, is a prominent name in the earlj^ 
Colonial histor3\ 

He was a son of Richard Church, who came to 
Massachusetts in the fleet with Gov. Winthrop ; a 
carpenter b}- trade ; lived at Wessagusset (Wey- 
mouth,) and Pl3'mouth, where he was admitted a 
freeman in 1633 ; married Elizabeth, daughter of 
Richard Warren, in 1636 ; was often a member of 
the " Grand Enquest," and frequently chosen as a 
Referee ; served as Sergeant in the Pequot war ; 
helped build the first Meeting House in Plymouth 
about 1637; was in Charlestown in 1653; but 
finally settled in Hingham, where he made his will 
1668, December 25th, and died two days after at 
Dedham, leaving nine children. 

He was born at Pl^'mouth, in 1639, and was bred 
to his father's trade. 1667, December 26th, he mar- 
ried Alice Southworth, grand-daughter of the dis- 
tinguished wife of Gov. Bradford, second daughter 
of Constant and Elizabeth (Collier) Southworth, 
of Duxbuiy, born in 1646. Their earl}' married life 
was passed in Duxbuiy, though he temporarily re- 
sided in various parts of the Colony in the pur- 
suit of his vocation. 

Less than six months after his father's death, 1669, 
June 1st, he received from the Court a grant of 
" land att Taunton River," which William Pabodie 
had taken up and then surrendered, " for full satis- 
faction for all the right his father Richard Church, 
deceased, hath to land in this CoUonie." He was 
for many years in the almost constant employ of the 

8 



42 



Colony, on juries for the trial of both civil and crimi- 
nal cases, and was the Constable of Duxbur3\ 

In 1674, influenced b}- the representations of Cap- 
tain John Alm}^, of Rhode Island, whose acquaint- 
ance he had made during a session of the Court at 
Pl3-mouth, he visited the territory known then b}' the 
Indian names Pocasset and Soglcoiiate, now Little 
Compton, R. I., was pleased with it, made a pur- 
chase, settled a farm, and soon erected two build- 
ings upon it. This farm was in the north-west part 
of the town, near the east passage of Narragansett 
Bay. He was the first Englishman that settled here, 
" gained a good acquaintance with the Natives, got 
much into their favour, and was in a little time in 
great esteem among them." 

During the following spring, while he was dili- 
gently employed on his farm, and hoping that his 
good success would be inviting unto other good men 
to become his neighbors, the rumor of a war between 
the English and Natives gave check to his peaceful 
projects. Being informed by JVeetamoe and some of 
her chief men of the inimical intentions of Philip, 
the Sachem of Mount Hope, and receiving fuller 
intelligence of the same at a Great Dance given by 
Awaslionks Squaw Sachem of the " Sogkonate " 
Indians, to which she had invited him, he immediately 
set out for Plymouth to apprise the Authorities 
there and take counsel with them respecting meas- 
ures to be taken in the emergenc}^ From this time 
until the close of Philip's war, he was employed in 
the service of the Colony. Distinguished for re- 



43 



markable phj^sical vigor and activity, exposed from 
childhood to the perils of Indians, and understanding 
thoroughly their mode of warfare, he rendered most 
valuable services as a military leader, and to him 
more than to any other man belongs the honor of 
bringing to a victorious close that bloodiest and most 
terrific of the Indian wars, known as King Philip's 
war. Late in life he dictated to his son, Thomas 
Church, Esq., a narrative of this war and of later 
expeditions, which was published, passed through 
several editions, and is still the standard historj' of 
those times. He was at the head of the party by which 
King Philip was slain in the swamp at the foot of 
Mount Hope, and bj' his skill and braveiy a few daj's 
after, Annowan, the last of Philip's great war chiefs, 
was taken captive. His surprise and capture of this 
warrior has been described as " an act of heroic 
boldness which has no parallel in modern times." 
His numerous and perilous adventures with the sav- 
ages in the region of Narragansett Ba}^ and Cape 
Cod, read like a volume of romance. His success in 
these encounters inspired such confidence, that he 
w^as subsequently charged with the command of five 
diflferent expeditions against the Indians in Maine, 
with the rank of Major and afterwards of Colonel. 
In consequence of his long and bloody conflict with 
the savage Indians, he has been unjustly repre- 
sented as of a hard-hearted and cruel disposition. 
But he had a merciless and treacherous foe to con- 
tend with, and there remained no alternative but to 
meet them on their own ground and by their own 



44 



acts of warfare, or suffer them to cany desolation 
and death in their most horrid forms through the 
scattered and feeble settlements of the white men. 
The historian of Fall River says, " In raising up 
such a man as Benjamin Church for the defense of 
the Colonists, and in preserving his life, amid the 
imminent perils to which he was subjected, the finger 
of Divine Providence was most signally manifested." 
Before the impartial historian this veteran of Indian 
warfare stands " as a man of integrit}" and piet}', a 
benefactor to his country, and a friend to his race." 

He was no less devout as a Christian than he was 
brave as a warrior. " I was ever sensible," he says, 
" of my own littleness and unfitness to be emploj^ed 
in such great services, but calling to mind that God 
is strong I endeavored to put all my confidence in 
Him, and by His almight}^ power was carried through 
every difficult action, and my desire is that His name 
may have all the praise." " I desire prayers that I 
may be enabled well to accomplish my spiritual war- 
fare and that I may be more than conqueror through 
Jesus Christ's loving me." In his home especially 
he was the devout and consistent Christian. He reoju- 
larly maintained family worship, wherein he read, 
and often expounded the scriptures to his household. 
In the observance of the Sabbath and in attending 
the worship and ordinances of God in the Sanctuary 
he was exemplary. 

After the close of Philip's war he removed to this 
town and cast in his lot with the first settlers. He 
purchased largely of the original proprietors and 



45 



held for many 3'ears much landed estate. He bnilt 
the house known as the " Old Talbee House," still 
standing, near the corner of Thames and Constitu- 
tion streets. He was frequentl}' elected to offices of 
trust and served the town with marked fidelity and 
wisdom. He was public spirited and contributed 
with great liberality for the support of institutions 
of Religion and Education. He was several times 
chosen Deputy to represent the town at Plymouth, 
and in 1696 was representative at Boston. He had 
seven children, five sons and two daughters — several 
of whom were born in Bristol, and have descend- 
ants still living among us. 

From Bristol he moved to Fall River and subse- 
quently to Little Compton, where he spent his last 
days on his farm. As years advanced he became 
uncomfortably corpulent in person. Being severely 
wounded by a fall from his horse, he sank under it 
and died. He was buried with militar}* honors in 
the cemeterj^ on the Common, where the visitor to- 
day ma}' stand over his ashes and read how highl}' he 
was revered in the significant inscription upon his 
tomb stone. " Here lieth interred the bod}' of the 
Honorable Colonel Benjamin Church, Esq., who de- 
parted this life Jan. 17, 1717-18, in the 78th 3'ear of 
his age." 

High in esteem among the great he stood, 
His wisdom made him lovely, great and good. 
Though hn be said to die he still survives 
Through future time liis memory shall live." 



46 



John Gary, fifth on the list of members, emigra- 
ted from Bridgewater, Mass., to Bristol, among the 
earliest settlers, .-ind established himself as a Brewer, 
residing on what is known as Malt house lane, deriv- 
ing its name doubtless from his business. He was 
the eldest son of John Gary and Elizabeth God- 
frey, who came to Pl3^mouth Golony in 1630. He 
had ten brothers and sisters. His father was a man 
of superior education and had great influence in the 
colony and as an officer of the Ghurch, and, tradition 
says, " he taught the first Latin school in the colon}', 
and was ver}- pious and public spirited." 

On coming to Bristol, Mr. Gary at once took a 
prominent position in civil and ecclesiastical afifairs, 
and was frequently elected to offices of trust. Soon 
after the organization of the Ghurch he was chosen 
Deacon as an associate with Deacon Bosworth, 
which office he held to the day of his death. His 
family consisted of his wife Abigail, and eleven 
children, seven of whom w^ere born previous to 
coming to Bristol, and four of them here. Most of 
these grew up from childhood in the covenant rela- 
tion of baptism, and were worthy and exemplary 
members of the Ghurch. Two of the sons were 
Deacons and the husband of one of the daughters, 
Samuel Howland. He died and was buried in the 
ancient burying ground on the Gommon. An up- 
right stone was erected to his memory bearing the 
following inscription : 

" Remember death. Here lies yc dust of Deacon John 
Gary, a shining pattern of piety whose spirit returned to 



47 



God that gave it July 14th, 1721, in ye 76th year of his 
age. 

" A man of prayer, so willing to do good, 
His liigliest worth, who of us understood; 
Fear (iod, love Christ, help souls their work to mend, 
So like this saint fit for bliss without end." 

Respecting the other constituent members we have 
onl}' the briefest memoranda. Nathaniel Rey- 
nolds was the son of Robert Reynolds, of Water- 
town, Mass., in 1635, perhaps, born in England. He 
was by trade a shoemaker as was also his father. 
He lived a while in Boston, where he was admitted 
freeman in 1665, was a member of the Artillery com- 
pany and commanded a company in King Philip's 
war under Colonel Church. He removed to Bris- 
tol among the first settlers and was an active and 
useful citizen, and an exemplar}^ Christian. He died 
in the faith of the Redeemer at an advanced age, 
1708, July 20. 

Hugh Woodbury was the son of William Wood- 
bury, born in Salem, Mass., 1650, June 30. His 
wife was Mar}^, daughter of Thomas Dixey, and they 
had several children, but the name in this town has 
long been extinct. He was among the first who 
settled here and appears to have been a worth}' citi- 
zen, respected and honored both in civil and eccle- 
siastical relations. He died 1702, April 17th, in the 
fiftj'-second 3'ear of his age. 

William Throop, called " Goodman Throop " in 
the record, came from Barnstable in 1680, and was a 
son of William Throop, who came from Lej'den in 



48 



1640. Tradition sa^^s he was a very pious and godly 
man and highl}^ respected, as were also his children, 
two of whom became Deacons in the Church and 
filled that office for many 3'ears. He died 1704, 
December 4th. 

Nathaniel Bosworth was a son of Deacon Ben- 
jamin BoswoRTH and Rebecca Stevens his wife, 
born in Hingham, Mass., in 1651. He first settled in 
Rehoboth, and removed to Bristol in 1680. His 
mother was killed by the Indians in the early part of 
King Philip's war. His family were numerous and 
many were their descendants. He was a cooper by 
trade and a fisherman, and tradition sa3'S he worked 
hand in hand with his associate. Deacon Gary, not 
onl}' in the interests of their business, but in pro- 
moting the welfare of Zion which was their chief 
joy. He was chosen Deacon at the organization of 
the Church and continued in the office until his 
death, 1690, August 31st, in the vigor of earl^^ man- 
hood. 

Such were the men, earnest, devoted, godl}- and 
highl}' esteemed, who gave the weight of their char- 
acter and influence to the foundations of our beloved 
Zion. We wonder not that siich men in the Divine 
Providence drew around them and left behind them 
many others of kindred spirit. Every decade of 
our histor}^ has furnished those whose names are 
worthy of special commendation for their faith, 
their integrity, their shining example of Christian 
character. 

But not the men alone were thus worthy. Though 



49 



at the organization of the Church the fathers of the 
town only united, the mothers in Israel soon after 
joined them. In their humbler spheres they were 
equally faithful, and then, as in our later histor}- and 
as in the almost universal histor}^ of Christ's Church 
in earth has been true of godly women, the}' contri- 
buted the largest share of christian graces to the 
Church life, and by far the brightest light, in its 
daily shining before the world. 

SAMUEL LEE, D. D.. FOUNDER AND FIRST PASTOR. HIS 
LIFE, MINISTRY, AND PUBLISHED WORKS. 

Mr. Lee was a son of Mr. Samuel Lee, a wealthy 
and highly respected citizen of London, and was 
born in the year 1625. He early in life manifested 
a fondness for books, which his parents were pleased 
to gratity, sending him to the celebrated "St. Paul's 
School " to pursue his studies preparatoiy for college. 
Such was his proficienc}' here that in 1640, at the 
early age of fifteen 3'ears, he entered the University 
of Oxford, where he took and maintained high rank 
as a scholar, and in 1648, received the degree of 
Master of Arts. He was soon after settled in a 
Fellowship in Wadham College, and, having been a 
highl}' successful lecturer in Great St. Helen's 
Church in London, he was, in 1656, appointed Proc- 
tor of the Universit}'. These offices were well sus- 
tained, and gained for him the reputation among his 
contemporaries of being a man of very superior 
learning and moral worth. 



50 



At the time of the famous " Bartholomew Act " 
which deprived nearl}' two thousand clergymen of 
their parishes and pecuniar}' support, because of their 
dissent from some of the prescribed forms and cere- 
monies of the Established Church, his sympathies 
were heartil}' with the Dissenters, although he had 
himself no preferment to lose. After the death of 
the minister of a Non-Conformist Church in Hol- 
burn, London, which took place in 1667, he was 
associated in the pastorate of that Church with the 
celebrated Rev. Theophilus Gale. In September, 
1679, we find him settled at Bignal near Bicester, in 
Oxfordshire, and he was afterwards, for several 
years, the Minister of an Independent Church, at 
Newington Green, near Bishopgate, in London. 

After these j^ears of distinguished service in the 
Ministr}' of Non-Conforming Churches, he was urged 
b}" Bishop Wilkins to accept a living in the Estab- 
lished Church, and was strongly advised thereto b}' 
many of his friends. But his dissent from the cere- 
monies and usages of that Church was conscientious 
and hearty, and while he was liberal to concede to 
others their rights of conscience, he could not com- 
promise with his own conscience for the sake of any 
of the flattering advantages offered to the gratifN'ing 
of a lofty ambition. This persistence in identifying 
himself with the weaker Non-Conformist part}- 
offended those who desired to avail themse ves of his 
great talents and learning, and who felt that they 
had as it were a preemptive right to all distinguished 
personages in the Realm. For this offense he suf- 



51 



feredmnch annoyance and petty persecutions at their 
hands. But the Non-Conformist party, grateful for 
his hibors in their cause and for the strength of his 
name, rallied around him as a leader, and gave him 
the enthusiasm of their admiration. 

At length, being apprehensive of a still further 
invasion of the rights of conscience, he resolved to 
migrate to New England, where he could, untram- 
meled, exercise the Gospel Ministry in accordance 
with his own sense of duty. This resolution was 
not made without a struggle, for he ardently loved 
his native land, was strongly attached to his numer- 
ous friends there, and having inherited from his father 
large real estate, his departure from England would 
involve much pecuniar}' loss. But, in spite of all 
that opposed, his resolution was made, and, with the 
clearest conviction that he was following the guiding 
hand of Providence, he sailed with his famil}' and 
landed in Boston in the summer of the year 1686. 

Of his reception in this countr}' and his happj" 
settlement in Bristol, an account has already- been 
given. 

On the accession of William to the throne of 
England, a change was inaugurated which promised 
greater tolerance and freedom to Dissenters. The 
heart of Mr. Lee 3'earned for his native land and the 
friends of former daj's, there to enjo}^ what a few 
years before had been denied him. Accordingl}', to 
the regret of all who ki^ew him, not onl}' here but 
throughout New England, he decided to return. 
After an affectionate parting from his flock in Bristol, 



52 



he embarked with his family on board the " Dolphin" 
at Boston. After a boisterous V03'age, nearing the 
coast of Ireland the}' fell in with a French Priva- 
teer, were captured and carried prisoners into the 
port of St. Maloes, in France. After some deten- 
tion, his family were allowed to proceed to London, 
but he was still {leld as a prisoner. Depression of 
spirits, solitude and the rigors of winter induced the 
prison fever which soon terminated his valuable life 
in December, 1691, aged sixty-four 3'ears. Being 
denounced as a heretic, his bod}^ was interred with- 
out the walls of the city.* 

Mysterious are the wa3's of Providence. Man}' of 
the Lord's chosen are called from the earth in the 
way of suffering Martyrdom ; his Church are left to 
mourn the loss of these precious ones of their num- 
ber. But, doubtless, heaven opens to these saints, 
with joys all the brighter because of their earthly 
tribulations, and in the triumphs of their faith, those 
left behind learn important lessons of trust in the 
darkest hours, and are animated to press forward in 
the march to final victory. 

The Ministry of Mr. Lee in Bristol was very brief, 
though remarkably fruitful in good results. The 
Church received additions constantly, and there had 
been enrolled in its fellowship forty-eight persons. 
They continued harmonious in all their church re- 
lations, and were spiritually profited by the minis- 



*Sprague's Annals. Allen's Biog. Diet. Dr. Shepard's 
Hist. Disc. etc. 



53 

try of their beloved pastor. His was a Catholic 
spirit. His learning was united with charity and 
the poor were often relieved by his bount}-. His 
toils, says tradition, out of the pulpit in visiting the 
sick and afflicted and administering the consolations 
of the Gospel, were continuous and faithful ; and his 
preaching was sound, able and eloquent. The fol- 
lowing passage from one of his sermons, preserved 
in the recollection of one of his people, has been 
handed down to the present day : 

** Every breath we draw should go forth warm with 
anthens; the blood's circulation should run around in 
songs, and every pulse beat upon the strings of David's 
harp. The wholesome herb should cure our murmurs, 
and all the creatm-es of earth, air and water, should by us 
render a tribute of praise to God." 

Mr. Lee kept up an acquaintance with other pas- 
tors, and by frequent interchange of views, strength- 
ened them in their work and was himself strengthened 
in his work. The following extracts from published 
letters, show how fraternal and cordial was this 
ministerial intercourse.* 

The Rev. Joshua Moody, then associate pastor of 
the first Church in Boston, in a letter to Increase 
Mather, then on a visit to England, in 1688, says : 

" Mr. Lee is in Town (tho' going out to-morrow,) Wee 
spent the 2d instant in your study & had his compy part of 
the day with us where wee had (blessed be God) a good 



*Mass. Hist. Coll., VHI., 4th series, 355, 540, 542. 
9 



54 

clay of Prayer for you and hope in God's good time to have 
in the same place a day of Praise with yon." 

The following extracts from letters of Mr. Lee to 
Mr. Mather, show not only cordial friendship but 
his interest for the spiritual welfare of the whole 
region round about as well as for his own parish : 

"Aug. 25, '87 Mount Hope. 
Deare Mr. Mather. * * * j ^^^^ compassed with va- 
rious humors in neighboring towns & Islands, but blissed 
be God the fogs fly. I have had a long disceptation I cant 
call a disputation with a stout Anabaptist. But blessed be 
his holy name they give ground. I am invited to the 
Island & hope next week to see it, with the Lcn-d's leave & 
try what work may enter. I want strength of body. I am 
in a Frontire. You had need incourage us with amunition 
& auxiliaries from Heaven & to begin to think of some 
learned, holy, discreel man, that might undertake at New- 
port. But no more at present. My hearty love to your 
good son, to my ancient loving friend Mr. Allyn & to my 
Beloved Brethren Mr. Moody & Mr. Willard, intreating 
your prayers for strength every way, with hearty respects 
to my deare sister of whose Turkeys I have so often tasted. 
Yours affectionately in the Lord. S. L." 

" 8, 14, 87, Mount Hope. 
Deare Mr. Mather,— Methinks its very comfortable to 
see your hand & had I Dove's wings I would soone see 
your face with divine permission & a supply, which you 
can more easily have there. My good ffriend Mr. Morton 
[Rev. Chas. Morton] has been here. I thank him, but he 
runs up & down here from place to place & suddenly runs 
back. That truly I am much troubled at. Once he left 
me among the bears at Cambridge & now among the 
all bears in Rhode Island, but all in Love. Yet I 



55 



shall hope when yoii come, you will give me some more of 
your company. Theres no discoursing under a bit of wnxe ; 
but meeting at Heaven's gate with the same petitions, 
through our gracious Redeemer. I found great respect 
from the Islanders, as Paul speaks, no little kindness in 
Malta. One desired me to speak for a young scholar or 
student to live in his house & teach his children ; a man of 
some quality : but I think will give onely dyet at pr'sent. 
If any good ITriends would help for about 10 lbs. a y. for 
clothes : we might begin some work there I hope. I have 
pr<;acht once there to a few with kind resentmt. & I 
took occasion by the Judges going in there & would fain 
have p'suaded Mr. Morton; since the P'sident told him he 
would provide for his place : but his love to his wife & 
some other things were his Apology I'intend to give him 
some account in time God willing- My hearty love to 
your good son & acquaint him he is in debt a letter to me. 
To your kind wife & to all our Brethren in the Ministry & 
in the Lord my wife and drs. pr'sent their hearty resp., 
especially Anne & so does your truly Lov. Br. & Serv't. in 
theLd. S. L." 

The following to Mr. Mather, on the eve of his 
departure on a visit to England, is especially affec- 
tionate and kind : 

" Febr. 15, 8 7-8. 
Deare Good Mr. Mather. Your hearty letter I recVl as 
heartily & embraced it utrisq ulnis & in imo sulce pectoris. 
I am glad & sorry of your motion to England nostri haec 
farrago libelli. I doe earnestly desire to sit up one night 
with you. 3 things hinder as yet. A supply of my place 
which if you or our f 'ds would engage Mr. Metcalf or Mr. 
Parry to come for 2 or 3 sabbaths I should endoavor to 
come to you toward the end of next month by the will of 
God. Another is I expect some things from England in 



56 



May & that will double my trouble to come then too. 
Another is the difficulty of travell to me. But if I get a 
supply by that time with your loving help & some of our 
ffds when they come up to you, since my house is as farr 
from being put in equipage now as in Octob. last ; onely 
hopes begin to spring. There be many things uncommitta- 
ble to a languid seale, which I remitt, if the Lord p'mitt, to 
enjoymt. I am shutt oif into an Angle from your com- 
pany ; but not from a conversation with you above the 
circle of human affairs. In haste, longing my letter should 
quickly see you, subscribe deliberately Your psvering ffd 
& throu. Grace Br., S. L." 

He published several works, among which was a 
dissertation on " The Ancient and Successive State 
of the Jews, with Scriptural evidences of their fu- 
ture conversion and establishment in their own land." 
This was in 1679, and was as able and ingenious a 
work in advocacy of that theory, which is now held 
by but few, as was ever published. In 1810, more 
than thirty years afterwards. Dr. Buchanan, in a ser- 
mon before '' the Jewish Institution," a benevolent 
society in England, says, — " It is possible before the 
end of the present year the four gospels will be pub- 
lished and copies sent to the Jews in the east, as the 
first fruits of the ' Jewish Institution.* It is very 
remarkable that this should be the very year which 
was calculated long ago by a learned man, as that in 
which ' the times of happiness to Israel ' should 
begin. In the year 1677, Mr. Samuel Lee, a scholar 
of enlarged views, who had studied the prophetical 
writings with gTeat attention, published a small vol- 
ume entitled "Israel Redux** or the Restoration of 



57 



Israel. He calculates the event from the prophecies 
of Daniel, and commences the great period of 1260 
years from A. D. 476, which brings it to 1736. He 
then adds : 

'After the great conflicts with the papal powers in the 
west will begin the stirs and commotions about the ,Tews 
and Israel in tlie East. If then to 1739 we add 30 more 
tliey reach to 1766 ; but the times of perplexity are deter- 
mined by Daniel to last 45 years longer. If then we con- 
join those 45 years more to 1766 it produces one thousand 
eight hundred and eleven — 1811— for those times of happi- 
ness to Israel.' " 

His other published works were " The Joy of 
Faith," in 1689 ; a sermon preached before the Court 
of Bristol, entitled " The great da}^ of Judgment," 
in 1691. "The triumph of Merc}'," much read in 
New England, an edition of which was printed in 
1718 ; and " Contemplations on Mortalit}'," respect- 
ing which Dr. Allen says, " they displa}- great learn- 
ing and genius :" Besides these, there were other 
sermons and smaller works, in all some ten or 
twelve volumes. 

He devoted great attention at one period to the 
stud}^ of Astrology, but afterwards testified his dis- 
approbation of it, by burning his collection of books 
relating to the subject, a hundred volumes. 

As a specimen of his st3de and exuberance of 
thought, we give the following extract from his 
^' Triumph of Mercy," p. 27 & foil. 

"The Rainbow of the Heavens knows not more rare 
and delightful colours than the rainbow of the Covenant, 



58 



under which our Saviour hath placed his Throne. The 
beauty of a picture shines in variety : which sets such a 
delicious^ and pleasant lustre upon prospects and land- 
scapes, where hills and dales, woods and plains, rivers 
and seas, castles and cities, and the carcases of ancient 
ruins and hanging rocks are curiously drawn by the Pencil 
of nature. ****** 

God seldom delivers in the same methods. There was 
never the same face of Heaven from the Creation to this 
day. The aspects, clouds, and weather do always vary, as 
the shells on the seashore, and the pebble stones none ex- 
actly alike. We have new songs f< -r every moment had 
we hearts to tune them. When God's wisdom takes one 
mercy away, his beneficent bounty sends another. When 
iSome setting stars dip their flaming rays in the Western 
Ocean, new ones glitter in the east. Never did the same 
water bubble from the same fountain : but as God is the 
inexhaustible spring of new and amiable mercies : So we 
find he adorns the out-rooms of the world, and the cham- 
bers of the Tabernacle of his Church with the Tapestry- 
hangings of the curious needle-work of his Providence. 
Such Wisdom dwells with Prudence and finds out the 
knowledge of witty inventions. All the curiosities of Art 
and the cunning devices of Artificers are from God : the 
swarthy Plowman derives his seasons and management of 
his lands, tillage and culture from Heaven : the women 
that sit at the wheel, turn it about by the direction of God 
for the ornaments of the Tabernacle : The weaver, the 
embroiderer and the ingenious lapidary learnt all in the 
school which is aboA^e the stars ; the most admirable of all 
inventions have dropt into the fsmcy from the Celestial 
intelligence. For what the vain unthinking world calls 
casualty is a graft upon the minds of men cut from the 
trees of Paradise. ***** 

And shall we not think that infinite wisdom cannot 
always present new and ravishing wonders of mercies 



59 



upon the stage from him who is unconceivable in Counsel 
and as admirable in working? When we study in this 
Library we still find new lines and new editions ; we sail 
upon new coasts and see new stars as in the Southern 
hemisphere, and enjoy a new set of Creatures, and smell 
at many leagues dist;int fragrant odoriferous scents ; as of 
Cinnamon from the mountains of Ceylon in India; of 
Rosemaiy from Spain ; Cedar from Lebanon, that perfume 
the very thoughts of a Saint; and the further we travel, 
the more delicious are the surging tops of the hills of 
Canaan! And the more we taste the more surprising 
sweetness astonishes our Palates; like the Queen pine in 
Barbadoes that supplies and transcends expectations with 
new and rasive favours and tunes our vocal instruments 
for new songs to bear a part with the Harmony of Angels 
forever," 

From " The Joy of Faith," p. 6 and foil, we give 
the following extract, a portion of an argument for 
the worth of the Scriptures deduced from their 
^' imperial power and efficacy on the souls and con- 
sciences of men :" 

" Let the world rage in storms of contradiction and like 
him in Laertius afUrm snow to be black, or assert the sun 
shines not when I see it, or a cordial comforts not when I 
feel it or that a troubled conscience is but a melancholy 
fjincy, when the terrors of the Lord drink up the spirits of 
men. These should be sent to Anticyra to purge with 
Hellebor for madness. Pray, what energy or power can 
be in a printed paper, in the reading of a chapter where- 
with Austin and Junius were converted from sin to God, 
or what powerful charm in hearing a mean Preacher, per- 
haps none of the Learnedest, like the blessed Fishermen 
of Galilee, to change the heart: if so many proud, haughty 
and rebellious sinners who of direful persecutors havo 



60 



sometimes turned tender cherishers and protectors of tbe 
Church of God : were it not for the fire of the Word of the 
Lord hosts that melts the stone of the heart and the ham- 
mer of that Word that breaks the sturdy Zauzummins all 
to powder; insomuch that bitter scoffers have been changed 
into witty Tertullians and turned their satires into pane- 
gyricks. What can that be imagined to be that works so 
strange effects upon whole Nations from the East to the 
Western-Indies, whitened the Blackmooi's, civilized the 
hearts of Scythians more ragged and brutish than the 
Rocks and Hyrcanian Tygers that gave them suck and 
beautified the barbarously painted Britians far beyond the 
oratory of the Gaules. It could be no other power than 
the awful dread of the Divine Majesty and the melting 
sweetness of his Mercy concomitant witb his heavenly 
Word. Wherefore such are justly to be suspected for 
strangers to the work of grace like Nicodenuis at first, 
tho' a great Doctor in Israel, yet a great dunce in the ex- 
cellent point of the New-Birth : or like that Doctor at 
Oxford, sometime since, that searcht the dictionary for the 
word, and could not tell what to make of it because he 
found it not there. I say we may gi-eatly fear that they 
never felt this mighty power of the Spirit of God to change 
their hearts that dare talk so proudly and irreverently 
against the self-evidencing power of the holy scriptures on 
the consciences of men : when the Majesty of God shines 
ten thousand times brighter in the meridian of that book, 
than the sun without clouds at noonday in the zenith of 
Africa." 

His sermon, entitled " A summons or warning to 
the Great Day of Judgment," preached " at the 
Assizes at Bristol, in N. E., October 7, 1G87," was 
a pictorial scene of soul-moving terror such as 
few could hear without most serious thought. The 



61 



text was from Revelation 20 : 12 : And I saw the 
Dead, small and great, stand before God: and the 
Books icere opened : and another Book was opened 
which is the Book of Life : and the Dead were judged 
■ out of those things ivhich were written in the Books, 
according to their loorks. The sermon closed with 
the following words of exhortation. 

1. *' As to you the Worthy and Reverend Judges that are 
to sit in judgement before the Lord this day : I shall not 
enlarge but only present unto you what King Jehoshaphat 
gave in charge to them from God, when he set them about 
this work. City by City. Take heed what you do, for ye 
judge not for man but the Lord who is with you in the judg- 
ment. Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you. 
Take heed and do it : for there is no iniquity with the Lord 
our Ood, nor respect of Persons, nor taking of gifts. 

2. "To you that are the People and auditors this 
day Count it a great mercy, that you have been pre- 
served by Restraining or Sanctifying grace, not to stand in 
the plnce of the nocent and so to become obnoxious to the 
wliolesom laws & Righteous judgment of the Magistrate. 
Bless God for that singular mercy : If it were not for the 
Magistracy, that great ordinance of God in the world, 
mens tongues would be like poisoned arrows shot forth, 
speaking deceit, treating their neighbor with their mouths 
peaceably, and laying wait in their hearts : Some such sons 
of Belial there are that a man cannot speak to them, they 
are so surly and interrupting & ought to be thurst away 
like thorns : if a man touch them he must be fenced with 
iron & the staff of a spear. Men would prove wolves and 
vipers ; tigers and dragons mixt in one and the same per- 
son to each other, O bless God for this gi*eat gift of Princes 
and Judges to rule the wicked and enormous world and to 
sway the scepter of righteousness in the earth. O Remem- 



62 



ber to speak honorably of Rulers and dignities ; for they 
are Ordained of God for the praise of them that do well ; 
and God's Ministers and Avengers npon them that do evil. 
Were it not for them such as are now but secret, malacious 
backbiters would soon prove badgers and bite through the 
bone to the very heart. Have then a special care of two 
originating sins that lead to many foul enormities, that is 
pride and envy : First in yourselves that you be not tempted 
thereby to hurt others : and Secondly in others that you do 
not hurt them. For wherever you see manifest signatures 
and tokens of these sins, lurking or putting out their forked 
tongues against others; beware of them, they are persons 
marked of God. And always have engraven upon your 
breast that famous emblem of a righteous man. Do as 
you would be done by : Tis our Lord's most Golden Rule 
of Equity : Then judge yourselves before God as to all in- 
firmities, and otherwise insuperable weakness : then tear 
not man's day : having presented yourselves by Faith as 
clothed with the Righteousness of Christ and in some 
sweet measure prepared for that solemn appearance at 
His Tribunal. 

3. " A word or two also to the poor guilty person which 
has murdered her own unlawful infant, and so I con- 
clude. As for thee poor Creature. What wns it that in- 
ticed, intauL'led, inflamed thee to the commission of these 
sins against the laws of God, the light of nature and the 
just laws of the land. I understand thus much from thee 
in the prison ; that thy p.'irents were very negligent of thy 
education, and so becamest a gi-eat neglecter of Sabbaths 
and sermons, and then fellest into the fellowship of lewd 
companions, which may be a just warning to all others. 
All that I shall say at present : because of the greai Sor- 
row, remorse & Repentance which thou hast manifested 
before many witnesses, and 1 hope may prove sincere : If 
thou fleest from the horror, stain and shame of these thy 
crying sins unto the most precious blood in Jesus Christ; 



63 



and hiyest hold upon it with a true though but a Weak 
faith: thou hast patterns of mercy in the blessed book of 
God: Manassah, Mary Magdalen, and the Thief upon the 
Cross to dispell their black and dismal cloud of despair : 
and to lead and incourage thee to hope in His Mercy. To 
which I humbly and heartily commend thee in the Lord 
Jesus Christ, the Lord both of Dead and Living. Amen.'' 

Mr. Lee was regarded as one of the most learned 
and pioiis men of his daN^, and was called '^ the light 
of both Englands '* and " the head and glory of the 
Church of Bristol." Cotton Mather said of him 
that " if learning ever merited a statues, this great 
man has as rich an one due him as can be erected ; 
for it must be granted that hardl}^ ever a more uni^ 
Versallj learned person trod the American Strand." 

THE MINISTRY LANDS» 

The Proprietors of Bristol, among other gifts for 
the benefit of the town, gave certain tracts of land 
" for the encouragement and use of an able Gospel 
Ministiy, which land shall remain forever and be for 
the use of the Ministiy for the time being," viz. : 
One lot on the corner of High and Bradford streets 
containing two acres, the site of our present Chapel 
and Church edifices ; one twelve acre lot west of 
'• the Commonage ;" and one one hundred and 
fiftieth part of " the Commonage." These lands 
were designated as " the Ministr}- Lands." 

To these lands others were subsequently added, 

the gift of individual citizens, viz. : A twelfth part 

of sixteen and one-half aCi^es, then improved by 

Madame Dorothy Paine, after her decease, by Will 

10 



64 



of Charles Church, Esq., dated 1746, November 
29th ; A lot on the Neck containing ten acres, by 
Will of Samuel Viall, Esq., dated 1756, May 3d; 
A lot on the Neck containing about five acres, by Will 
of Joseph Reynolds, Esq., dated 1757, February 16th. 

In the original gift b}' the Proprietors, the Denomi- 
nation for whose benefit lands were given was not 
designated, as only one Church was then contempla- 
ted, and it was obviously intended that these lands 
should be for the benefit of this Church.* But the 
donors of the additional lands were carefnl to state 
that the}' were " for and towards the support of the 
Gospel Ministry in the Presbyterian or Congrega- 
tional way and for no other use or purpose whatsoever." 

The lands thus generousl}^ given b}" the founders 
and earl}^ members of the Church have aided very 
materiall}' in the support of the Gospel Ministry-. 
The}' are for the most part leased for periods of va- 
rious lengths of time, and the rents appropriated in 
accordance with the will of the donors. 



*Respecting tlie intention of the donors of the original 
Ministry lands, we have written evidence of decisive char- 
acter. On the 30th of March, 1724, Nathaniel Byfield, 
one of the four Proprietors, gave to Nathaniel Cotton, 
then pastor of this Church, about six and a half acres of 
land. In the deed conveying this gift, Mr. Byfield refers 
to the original deed of Ministry lands, and says, they were 
" intended to be for the Ministry of tlie holy Gospel as 
practiced generally in the Churches of Christ in New 
England, ivhich I understand to be Presbyterian and Con- 
gregational, which was the design of the four first proprie- 
tors of tJie lands of Mount ITope.''^ 



65 



II. 

THE BUILDING GOING FORWARD.-1G91-1718. 

EFFORTS TO OBTAIN A PASTOR. 

After the departure of Mr. Lee, measures were 
promptl}' taken to obtain a successor in the Pastoral 
Office. Consultation with the Elders in Boston led 
to the introduction of Mr. Leverett, of Harvard 
College, as a candidate for settlement, and on the 
twenty-ninth of Jul}^, 1691, with hearty unanimity, 
a call was voted. He declined, " because his obli- 
gations to the College would not admit of a present 
acceptance." The caR was renewed, with the prom- 
ise of waiting until the Spring or Summer, " earn- 
estl}^ desiring that he would continue to supply the 
pulpit meanwhile." He continued to supph^ until 
August following, when, on being pressed for a 
definite answer to the call, he gave a negative reph', 
and negotiations with him ceased. 

After this the Pulpit was supplied by various 
Ministers in succession, fifteen shillings weekly 
being paid for the service until 1693, Jul}- 24th, 
when a call was voted to the Rev. John Sparhawk, 
with a 3^€arl3' salary of sixt}^ pounds ; " five pounds a 
year additional for firewood, and, after he has a 
famil}', ten pounds a year for firewood and the im- 
provement of the Ministr}^ lands." The call was 



6(5 



accepted, and he began his labors October 6th fol- 
lowing. He continued on trial a year when the 
following vote was adopted by the town : 

" We, the Inhabitants of the Town of Bristol, being met 
together this 19th day of September, 1694, do, for the main- 
taining of the Public Worship of God amongst ns, and for 
the Love and Honour we bear to the Rev'd John Spar- 
hawk, and hopes of speedy settlement by him, and for tlie 
putting a full and final stop to any further discourse i*e- 
lating to the Strangers' Contribution as an overplus to the 
Minister (here with us,) do agree upon the considerations 
abovesaid, and do hereby promise to.p^iy to the said Mr. 
Sparhawk, by weekly contribution or otherways, within 
the year the sum of 70 pounds per annum whilst he re- 
mains a single man, and 80 pounds for the year when 
he comes to keep a family, and this we promise during his 
continuance in the work of the Ministry with us." 

With cordial unanimit}^ he was duly installed the 
second Pastor of the Church, on the twelfth of June, 
16&5, nearly four years after their sore bereavement 
in the death of Mr. Lee. 

JOHN SPARHAWK.- — SECOND PASTOR. 

Mr. Sparhawk was born in 1G72, and graduated 
at Harvard College in 1689, at the youthful age of 
seventeen vears. Respecting his ancestry w^e have 
no definite information. 

Not long"^ after his settlement in Bristol, he mar- 
ried Priscilla , and lived in a house on State 

street, north of the Common, on or near the spot 
where now stands the house of P. Hammel, Esq. 
They had two children, John and Nathaniel, born 
in 1713 and 1715. The first graduated at Harvard 



67 



College in 1733, was ordained at Salem, Mass., 1736, 
December 8th, and died 1755, April 30th, in the 
forty-second 3^ear of his age. 

He died 1718, April 29th, in the twenty-third j'ear 
of his Ministr}', aged fort^'-six 3'ears, and was buried 
with the tender laments of his people in the ceme- 
tery on the Common, near the Sanctnar}', where he 
had faithfull}^ held forth the word of life, being 
borne to his resting place, from his house, on the 
shoulders of the office bearers in the Church. His 
w4dow survived many years and continued to reside 
here till her death. 

The name of Mr. Sparhawk, as testified by the 
Kev. Mr. Burt, twent}^ 3'ears after his decease, " re- 
mained exceedingly dear and precious to his people." 
He w^as a good preacher, and a faithful, judicious 
pastor. Though not so celebrated as his predecessor, 
and doubtless a less learned man, he did his work 
well, and fell at his post his harness on, being called 
by the Master up higher. The records show that 
during his Ministry" one hundred and two persons 
w^ere added to the membership of the Church, mau}^ 
others " owned the Covenant," and three hundred 
and seventj'-six children and adults were baptized. 

Over his grave his afflicted people erected a me- 
morial stone with the following brief inscription : 

" Here Lyeth Interred 

YE Body of ye 

Reverend MR. JOHN SPARHAWK, 

Minister of this Place 23 Years Last Past. 

Dyed ye 29th of Aprill, 1718, 

IN YE 46th year of HIS AGE." 



68 



III. 
STORM AND PERIL.— 1718-1740. 

THE MCSPARRAN DIFFICULTIES. 

After the death of Mr. Sparhawk, there was no 
settled Pastor for nearly four years. A call was ex- 
tended to the Rev. Samuel Ciieckley, who was 
afterwards the first Pastor of the New South Church 
in Boston, but he declined it. A call was next voted 
to James McSparran, a young man who had recentl}^ 
arrived in this countr}^ from the north of Ireland as 
a Licentiate of the Presbytery in Scotland. 

*' Ye choice of this McSparran," says Mr. Burt, " opened 
a door to all manner of confusion and disorder. Several 
scandjdous immoralities were soon after reported of him. 
Dr. Mather, of Boston, and other Ministers, wrote to ye 
Church by no means to settle him. But ye affections of 
many towards him for his excellent oratory rendered them 
slow to believe anything to his disadvantage. Wliilst 
others were as implacably set against him. Tw^o days 
were set apart for his ordination, but ye Ministers sent for 
would not lay hands on such a man to separate him to ye 
work of ye Ministiy. But he, being fond of a settlement 
and hoping to prevail with ye Church, offered to submit to 
a lay ordination. Not long after this it was suspected & 
yt suspicion was so violent yt, it amounted to little short 
of proof yt. his credentials from ye Presbytery in Scotland 
were a counterleit and a forgery upon wh his opposers 
were more implacably set against him. October ye 13, 
1719, ye Church met at ye motion and desire of Mr. 



69 



McSparran to consider whether they ought to give him ti 
Dismission or otherwise permit him to go to Scotland as 
ye INIinister there to clear up his character and to return 
again. But after considerable debate his dismission was 
voted ye Church being unwilling to be under a promise of 
staying for his Return." 

It appears from the official records that the Church 
voted, on the 16th of December, 1718, to call him 
to the Pastoral office ; on the 2 2d of December fol- 
lowing, the town, b}' a vote of seventy^ to three, con- 
curred in the Church's choice ; on the 19th of April 
following, arrangements were made to call a Council 
for his ordination. There is no official record of the 
doings of Council. On the 25th of May followiug, 
the town adopted this minute : 

" The accounts lately received from Barnstable and 
Plymouth in favor of the RevVi Mr. James McSparran 
being read in publick Town Meeting together with our 
own experience of his good conversation during his abode 
in this Town and his humble Christian deportment under 
the present afflictive Providence, with his ready acknow- 
ledgement of his ungaurded conversation in times past, 
with his earnest desire under his hand which hath been 
now read to be reconciled to the Church of Christ, demand 
our Christian compassion in the exercise of that fervent 
charity Avhich covers the multitude of sins. We do in 
duty, as well as affection, declare our hearty forgiveness of 
all his past miscarriages and that we do receive him as 
our Brother in tlie I^ord, humbly depending upon the 
boundless mercy and compassion of our most gracious 
God through the merits of our blessed Redeemer ye Lord 
Jesus Christ for pardon and acceptance. We most earn- 
estly desire that all Christian People referring to this ou}* 



70 



dear and Rev'd Brother, Mr. James MeSparran, would 
put on charity which is the bond of perfe<;tness and all 
these scandalous Reports that have been spread abroad 
will, as they ought, be buried in oblivion." 

*' The above writing being distinctly read in the Town 
meeting, and people being asked whether they had any 
objection against it or any part of it, it was unanimously 
voted in ye affirmative as the mind of ye town, no one 
objecting after ye vote was called except Conll Paine. 
Attest: Samuel Rowland, Town Clerk." 

The way now seemed clear for his settlement in 
regular order. Accordingl}", arrangements were 
made to call a Council for this purpose on Thursday, 
October 22d, following. Before this day arrived, the 
new report of forgery of credentials broke out and 
threw matters into worse confusion th:in before. 
Without waiting for the meeting of Council he pro- 
posed to withdraw at once if the Chui'ch and town 
would give him an honorable dismission, or to re- 
turn to Scotland and obtain confirmation of his cre- 
dentials, if they would grant him leave of absence. 
As stated by Mr. Burt, the Church voted his dismis- 
sion, but the town would not concur in this action 
but adopted the following vote, viz. : 

" Voted, that Leave is given by the Town to Mr. James 
MeSparran, our present Minister, to take a voyage to 
Ireland, in order to procure a confirmation of his creden- 
tials, the truth of which being by some questioned : and 
that he return to us again sometime in June next ensuing, 
and proceed in ye work of the Ministry with us if he pro- 
cure yc confirmation of ye aforesaid credentials." 



71 



On the 20th of June, 1720, having heard nothing 
from Mr. McSparran, the Town voted to extend his 
leave of absence to the IGth of September 'following. 
This period also passed without his return, or any 
report from him, and the town was then read}' to 
cooperate with the Cluirch in securing another Pas- 
tor. 

While the town were thus patientl}' waiting for their 
Minister's return, he was abroad taking Orders in the 
Church of England. On the 21st of August, 1720, 
he was admitted to Deacon's Orders by the Bishop 
of London. On the 25th of September following, 
he was ordained to the Priesthood by the Archbishop 
of Canterbur3\ On the 23d of October following, he 
was commissioned b}' the Bishop of London " to 
discharge the Ministerial Office in the Province of 
New England in America." Under the patronage of 
" the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in For- 
eign Parts," he came back commissioned as a " Mis- 
sionar}' to Narragansett in New England, who is to 
officiate as opportunity shall offer at Bristol, Free- 
town, Swanzc}', and Little Compton, where there are 
many people, members of the Church of England, 
destitute of a Minister." 

DAY OF PRAYER AND CHOICE OF PASTOR. 

On the 22d of September, 1720, the Church set 
apart the 1st of October following as a day of fast- 
ing and prayer, in view of the present unhapp}' 
condition of affairs. To assist in the services of the 
day they invited tlie Rev. Messrs. Thatcher, of Mil- 



72 



ton ; Danforth, of Freetown ; Wadsworth, of Boston ; 
White, of Attleborough ; Fisher, of Dighton ; Billings, 
of Little Compton ; and Clapp, of Newport. The 
day was one of great spiritual profit, and a fitting 
preparation for choosing and settling a Pastor, which 
was not long after accomplished. 

On the 22d of December, 1720, the Centennial 
Anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims at PI3'- 
mouth, the Church, by nearly an unanimous vote, 
chose the Rev. Nathaniel Cotton for their Pastor, 
and on the 23d and 30th of Januar}^ following, the 
town " by a very considerable majority of votes," 
gave its concurrence and proposed, for his encourage- 
ment to settle, one hundred pounds ; also, one hun- 
dred pounds 3^early salary beginning with the 1st 
of January, and the Strangers' Contribution. Sub- 
sequentl}' the improvement of the Ministr}' lands 
was added. The call was accepted, and on the 31st 
of August, 1721, he was duly ordained the third in 
the succession of Pastors of this Ancient Church. 
The sermon on the occasion was by the Rev. Joseph 
Belcher, of Dedham. 

NATHANIEL COTTON. THIRD PASTOR. 

Mr. Cotton was a descendant of the distinguished 
John Cotton who came to Boston from England in 
1633, who, being then about fort3^-eight years of age, 
of large and varied experience, and eminent for his 
talents, learning and piety, w^as soon designated and 
set apart as Teacher of the Fii-st Church, of which the 
Rev. John Wilson was Pastor, whose labors were 



73 

attended with such remarkable blessing that during 
the first five 3'ears a greater number were admitted 
to his Church than to all the other Churches in the 
Colon}-, and who died on the 23d of December, 1652, 
in the sixt3'-eighth year of his age, lamented as a 
public loss in all the Churches in the countr}'. 

He was a son of the Rev. Roland Cotton, of 
Sandwich, Mass., born in 1698, graduated at Har- 
vard College in 1717, and was therefore onl}- twent}'- 
three 3-ears of age when he assumed the Pastoral 
Office in Bristol. His father was a grandson of the 
Rev. John Cotton, above mentioned, and one of 
several Congregational Ministers whom this family 
produced, all of whom were eminent for their piet}^ 
and usefulness. His younger brother, Josiah, gradu- 
ated at Harvard in 1722, and was ordained Pastor 
of the Beneficient Church in Providence, 1728, Octo- 
ber 23d, which office he held for several years, and 
was afterwards settled at Woburn, Mass., and 
Sandown, N. H., and died 1780, May 27, aged 
seventy-eight years. 

Not long after his settlement he married the 
widow of Mr. William Sanford, of Newport, and 
lived, it is supposed, in the house on State street, 
which had been previousl}- occupied by Mr. Spar- 
hawk, and, after his decease, by his widow. 

His Ministry was continued under the embarrass- 
ments which grew out of the McSparran difficulties 
until his strength failed, and he sank t;p an early 
grave 1729, Jul}' 3d, in the thirt3'-first year of his 
age. But, though troubled and brief, his Ministry' 



74 

was fruitful in good results. Many were added to 
the Church on Profession of Faith, others " o^\iied 
the Covenant," and over a hundred children and 
adults were baptized. The House of Worship was 
also thoroughly repaired and improved, and the cour- 
age and hope of the church failed not. 

The Rev. Mr. Burt says of him, " he was a man 
of singular prudence, of admirable patience, and for 
the cause of Truth and Righteousness he was as bold 
as a lion, and his name continued fresh in the memories 
and exceeding dear and precious to his people." 
He made his grave with his beloved flock, and a 
Memorial stone was erected with the following in- 
scription : 

Here lies the remains of 

The rev. MR. NATHANIEL COTTON, M. A., 

and Pastor of ye Church in this Town. 

Born at Sandwich, June ye 16, 1698, 

2d son of ye late Rev. Mk. Roland CottoK, 

and his wife Eliz., only daughter of ye Hon. 

Nathaniel Sallonstall, Esq., of Haverhill. 

Took his degrees at H. College 1717 and 1720. 

Ordained here Aug. 30, 1721. 

Married ye relect of Mk. William Sanford, of Newport, 

By whom he had 4 sons and 4 daughters. 

Died here July 3tl, 1729, 

Greatly Valued and Lamented. 



:75 



BARNABAS TAYLOR. FOURTH PASTOR. 

Shortly after the decease of Mr. Cotton, the 
Church and Town, with a remarkable degree of 
uuanimit}', united in calling the Rev. Barnabas Tay- 
lor, voting him two hundred pounds for settle- 
ment, and a j^earl}' salar}- of one hundred and forty 
pounds, together with the use or income of the 
Ministr}^ lands and the Strangers' Contribution. The 
call was accepted and he was dul}' installed the 
fourth Pastor, 1729, December 25th. 

There are no Church records during his Ministry 
and we have no means of knowing any fruits of his 
labors. Mr. Burt says, " he was much admired at 
first ;" but for some cause respecting which the 
record is silent he failed to give satisfaction, and, b}' 
the advice of an Ecclesiastical Council, was dismissed 
1740, June 3d. 
11 



76 



IV. 
PEACE AND PROSPERITY.— 1740-1775. 

JOHN BURT. FIFTH PASTOR. 

Very soon after the dismission of Mr. Ta3^1or, the 
Rev. John Burt was introduced to the Church, and 
began to preach in July, 1740, as a candidate for settle- 
ment. On the 17th of November following, he was 
unanimously chosen to the Pastoral office. On the 5th 
of Januarj^, 1741, the Town voted unanimous^ to con- 
cur in the Church's choice, and for his support proposed 
a yearly salar}^ of two hundred and fifty pounds in 
silver money, at twentj^-eight shillings per ounce or 
its equivalent in paper currenc}', the Strangers' 
Contribution, and the improvement of the Parson- 
age house and Ministry lands. The call was accepted, 
and on the 13th of May, 1741, he was duly ordained 
and installed the fifth Pastor by a Council consisting 
of the Elders and Messengers of Churches in Boston, 
Newport, Little Compton, Dighton, Rehoboth, Attle- 
borough and Providence. The sermon on the occa- 
sion v/as preached by himself, from 2d Cor. v. 20. 
The charge to the Pastor was given by the Rev. Mr. 
Webb, of Boston, who was the Pastor of his child- 
hood and the Instructor of his riper years. The 
right hand of fellowship was given by the Rev. Mr. 
Turner, of Rehoboth. And the pra^^er was offered 
by the Rev. Mr. Fisher, of Dighton, the Moderator 
of the Council. 



77 



Mr. Burt was a native of Boston; born 1716, 
graduated at Harvard College, 1730, at twent3\Years 
of age. After graduation he pursued his studies for 
the Ministry under the direction of his Pastor. He 
remained in the Pastorate to the day of his death, 
1775, October 7th, in the thirt^^-fifth year of his 
Ministry and the fift3^-ninth yesir of his age. 

His house was on Hope street, near the present 
mansion of Mrs. Scott Greene. During the attack 
of the British on the town, 1777, May 25th, this was 
the first house which was fired and destroyed. 

On taking charge of the Church he gathered what 
information he could respecting its histor}' and pre- 
sent condition, and prefaced an account to a book 
of records which he faithfully kept during his entire 
ministr}', and for neatness of copy and fullness they 
are much in advance of any kept by his predeces- 
sors. At the beginning of his Ministry seventy-seven 
names appear on his record as being at that time 
members in full communion. Additions were con- 
tinually made, and, at his death, sixty-five members 
had been received to full communion, one hundred 
and eighteen others had " owned Covenant," and 
five .hundred and twent3^-six children and adults 
had been baptized. 

His Ministr}^ was eminenth^ successful. A faith- 
ful, bold and earnest preacher, and a judicious coun- 
sellor and friend, he won the respect of all classes, 
and enjoj'ed, in a marked degree, the confidence and 
affection of his people. This period was emphati- 
cally one of peace and prosperity. The bitterness 



78 



of the McSparran controversey had greatly abated ; 
measures for the support of the Gospel were adopted 
which were generally satisfactor}-, and a steady 
devotion to the cause of Christ produced its fruits of 
joy and harmony. 

In 1746, by Commissioners, the Town of Bristol, 
with four other towns, was setoff from Massachusetts 
and annexed to Rhode Island. As by the funda- 
mental law of this State, the support of religious 
institutions could only be b}^ voluntary contribution, 
the Cliurch could no longer look to the town for sup- 
port as formerl}^, but must rely upon its own special 
friends and helpers. But, previous to this, an 
arrangement was made with the town, whereby those 
who chose to have their Ministry taxes go towards 
the support of the Ministry of another order could 
do so by properl}'^ signif3ing their wish to the town 
authorities. 

On the 7th of October, 1775, there passed away 
from earth this Pastor beloved. Tenderl}^ was his 
body laid away to rest in the cemetery on the Com- 
mon, w^here sleep the mortal remains of Sparhawk 
and Cotton, and as a tribute to his memory a tablet 
with the following inscription was erected b}" his 
mourning people : 



79 



S.-icTiid to the Memory 
of the REV. JOHN BURT, A. M., 

born in Boston, educated at Harvard University 

Ordained pastor of the Congi-egational Church 

in Bristol, May 13, A. D. 1741. 

He died aged 59 on the 7th of Oct. 1775, 

in the evening of the ever memorable 

Bombardment of this Town 

by a British Squadron. 

He was the nohle advocate 

of Civil Liberty and. religious Freedom, 

and a faithful Pastor to his Flock. 

His Parishioners 

from a sincere respect 

for his many virtues, 

and a just veneration 

of his excellent character 

have erected this Monument 

to his Memory. 



80 



V. 
HALTING OF THE WORK.— 1775-1785. 

THE FLOCK SCATTERED WITHOUT A SHEPHERD. 

In 1775, Bristol was a flourishing commercial 
town with a population which numbered about twelve 
hundred and lift}'. On the breaking out of the Revo- 
lutionary war, the town took prompt measures to 
perform its part in the memorable conflict, and its 
history during this period is one of thrilling interest. 
" Some time during the summer, a British squadron 
arrived in Newport, and lay there until the 7th of 
October, on the morning of which day an express 
arrived here with the news that the squadron was 
getting under weigh at Newport, with the intention 
of sailing to Bristol. This news caused much alarm 
and confusion throughout the town. The da}^ of the 
occurrence was unusually pleasant. About three 
o'clock in the afternoon, the squadron, consisting of 
three ships of war, named the Rose, the Gaspee, 
and the Eskew, with a bomb brig and a schooner, 
was seen standing up the ba}^ in full sail, with a gen- 
tle breeze to the south. Shortly after sunset they 
were anchored in our harbor, making a display such 
as never was seen here before or since. Wallace, in 
the Rose, took the lead, run up and anchored within a 
cable's length of Market wharf. The Gaspee next 
came up and anchored about a cable's length to the 



81 



south. The other attempting to go farther south 
grounded on the middle ground. The schooner ran 
up and anchored opposite the bridge. At eight 
o'clock a ro3'al salute was fired from the flag ship. 
Shortly after the salute a barge left the flag ship, 
and was pulled in to the wharf where a large number 
of the citizens were congregated. The commanding 
officer having stepped upon the wharf, communicated 
the fact that Captain James Wallace, commander of 
the squadron, had sent him with a demand for forty 
sheep and a pair of oxen ; and if they were refused 
he should fire upon the town. The Town Council 
were immediately^ called together, and the demand 
of the British was laid before them. After some 
discussion upon the subject the Council decided that 
the demand was unreasonable, and that the}^ would 
not comply with it. ' Is this 3'our final answer ? ' 
asked the commander. ' Yes, yes,' shouted man}^ 
unfaltering voices in repl}'. The oflflcer immediately 
jumped into the barge and pulled towards the ship. 
In a short time after the barge returned, the report 
of a cannon, fired from the flag ship, was heard. The 
other ships then commenced firing upon the town, 
and the flashes of the cannon, the whistling of the 
balls through the air, the bursting of bombs, was a 
scene terrible in the extreme. The bomb brig threw 
carcasses (machines made of iron hoops and filled 
with all manner of combustibles) to set fire to the 
town. The}' were thrown up nearl}' perpendicular, 
with a tremendous tail to them, and when they fell 
to the ground they blazed up several yards high." 



82 



'' Horror and dismay were depicted on every coun- 
tenance, women and children crying and screaming 
were seen running through the streets in every direc- 
tion to seek some place of safety. Many of them 
w^ere removed to the farms and remote parts of the 
town while the balls were whistling over their heads 
as they went. The firing continued for about an 
hour when a citizen standing upon a point of land 
which made off some distance in the harbor, suc- 
ceeded in hailing the commander of the squadron, 
and the firing was suspended. An epidemic was 
raging in town, which had proved fatal in many 
cases, and at this time three persons lay dead in their 
dwellings, while the remains of Governor Bradford's 
wife had been buried but the day before. Letters 
were sent on board stating these facts and promising 
to comply with the demand if they would stop firing. 
One account sa3^s : ' While preparations were being 
made to send the sheep on board. Captain Martin, of 
Seekonk, arrived with a compan}' of men and pro- 
tested they should not be sent. Bringing his field 
pieces upon a small eminence that commanded the 
bay, he commenced firing upon the enemy's shipping. 
Opposed thus unexpectedly and placed now at a dis- 
advantage to renew the contest, the ships of Wallace 
made their way back to Newport.' But from the 
town records it appears that the town paid for sheep 
furnished by citizens and delivered to Captain Wal- 
lace ; and an account written by an eye witness says, 
' In the morning we returned to our dwellings, and on 
coming up Main street we saw the British squadron 



83 



standing out of the harbor bound to Newport.' If 
Wallace was defeated and driven out by Martin, it 
could not have been until the next morning." 

"It is wonderful that there was no person killed. 
There were many hair breadth escapes from death. 
A little lad three and one-half 3'ears old, accompan}^- 
ing his mother in flight, a cannon ball struck the 
limb of a tree on their left hand which, severed from 
the trunk, fell directl}^ at their side. As Governor 
Bradford, who in the name of the town refused com- 
pliance with the demand for sheep and cattle, was 
returning to his house through his garden, as he was 
climbing the fence, the board on which his hand 
rested was knocked from his grasp by a cannon ball. 
A man wxnt to a well to get water to put out one of 
the "carcasses" which fell near his house, and he 
had scarcely left the well when a cannon ball struck 
the curb which was. shattered to pieces." 

" The onl}^ person who died during this attack was 
the Rev. John Burt, who was afterwards found dead 
13'ing on his face on a hill of corn. A nine pound 
shot was dug from the earth at a short distance from 
him, and in an exact range of him and the ship, but 
no marks of its effects were found upon his bod}'. 
An inquest was held before Daniel Bradford, Esq., 
coroner, and the verdict of the Jur}' was, that ' he, 
being for sometime past sick and languid, was sur- 
prised by a cannonading upon the town of Bristol, 
on the evening before his heath, abdicated his house, 
attended by nobody, either got lost and bewildered, 
or was seized by some sudden fit and so came to his 
death.' " 



84 



The day following was Sunday, and a day of sol- 
emn sadness to the people who gathered in the 
Sanctuaiy and learned that the voice of their beloved 
Pastor was hushed in death. A great gloom settled 
over the communit}^, and man}' hearts bowed to God 
in tearful prajer. 

The thoughts of the people were now chiefly given 
up to the war. But the few families who were not 
driven abroad made great efforts to keep the pulpit 
supplied during most of this gloom}-^ period. The 
following ministers officiated, viz. : the Rev. Messrs. 
Amasa Leonard, George Morey, Huntingdon Por- 
ter, Joseph Davis, Allen Olcott, Eliphalit 
Porter, Thomas Roby, Samuel Shuttlesworth, 
Henry Channing, Asa Piper, and Jude Damon. 

On the 25th of Ma}^, 1777, the town received the 
severest blow of the war. In the morning " about 
live hundred British and Hessian troops, under the 
command of Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, started 
from Newport in a ship of war. Before daylight 
they anchored about half a mile south of Peck's 
rocks, on the west side of Pappoosquaw. The}' immed- 
iately landed and marched through Warren to the 
Kickamuit river. A number of boats belonging to 
the State had been collected here. The British 
heaped these boats together and burnt them. They 
then marched back to Warren where they took a 
number of prisoners and burned the Baptist Churchy 
a powder magazine, and a number of dwelling houses. 
They delayed here but a short time, as the}^ feared 
an attack from the American militia. They then 



85 

marched down the main road to Bristol, plundering 
houses and taking the men prisoners. The inhabi- 
tants of Bristol were filled with consternation, as on 
account of the special enmity of the British to this 
town thc}^ had eyery reason to expect the most severe 
treatment. At this time a regiment of militia, com- 
manded by Colonel Gary, and a company of artillery. 
Captain Pearce, were stationed in the town. The 
militia were quartered in different dwelling houses 
on Hope street, and the artillery in a house on the 
corner of Hope and Burton streets. Word was 
brought to the commander of the troops that a large 
force of British were coming down the main road. 
Their numbers were probably much exaggerated. As 
he had but about three hundred and fifty men he 
deemed it advisable not to engage with the British, 
and accordingly' marched his men out of town to the 
back road. The artillerj^ compan}' marched up Bur- 
ton street to Wood street and there halted." 

" Meanwhile the British entered the town. The}' 
continued to make all the men prisoners, but re- 
frained from injuring the houses until the}' reached 
the large dwelling house where the Rev. Mr. Burt 
had lived, which they burnt to the ground. The 
work of destruction thus commenced soon became 
general. The houses in which the troops had been 
quartered were all burnt. On the east side of Hope 
street all the houses were burnt, from Mr. Burts' to 
Byfleld street except the Oxx house. On the we&t 
side all to the Episcopal Church, which was also 
burnt. The square below the Church was then a 



S6 



meadow, unoccupied with buildings. Eighteen 
dwellings and a number of other buildings were de- 
stro3'ed, and between thirty and forty men were 
taken prisoners." 

" As soon as the British landed, an express was 
sent to General Sullivan in Providence, intelligence 
reaching him about eight o'clock in the morning. By 
his direction, Colonel Barton, with a few horsemen, 
started for Bristol. The regiment which had marched 
to the back road returned down Mount lane, and 
passing down High street marched in pursuit of the 
British who were then crossing Walker's bridge. As 
soon as the enemy made their appearance the artil- 
lery commenced firing upon them, and pursued them 
to the Ferry, firing all the time. B}^ the blood in the 
road it was supposed that a considerable number of 
the British were killed or w^ounded. A large num- 
ber of militia now poured into the town, but they 
were too late to be of any service. The ship which 
brought the British from Newport, after having sent 
a boat on shore and taken captive Captain Westcott 
and nine American privates who were on Pappoo- 
squaw got under weigh, and sailed to the Ferry for 
the purpose of taking ofi the British, which was suc- 
cessfully accomplished." 

" This attack of the British left the town in a 
wretched condition. Nearl}' every house on the 
principal street was reduced to ashes. It is probable 
that if the British had not been closely pursued they 
would have burnt the entire town. In addition to 
the loss of their houses, the inhabitants were obliged 



87 



to endure poverty and want, as provisions were 
scarce and prices consequent!}' high. A large num- 
ber of soldiers were constant!}^ quartered among 
them, and the}' were obliged to submit to all the 
inconveniences of a garrisoned town. The}' were 
kept in a state of continued alarm, and their slum- 
bers were broken nearly every night. The fences 
were all torn down for fuel, and the land for nearly 
two miles out of town laid waste. Many of the in 
habitants left their homes taking their personal 
effects with them." 

Under these trying circumstances, continued 
through the period of the war, it could hardly be 
otherwise that Zion should languish, and the work 
of building her walls halt and almost cease. But 
though cast down she was not destroyed. Her life, 
though feeble, still breathed, and in due time a 
brighter day dawned. 

The foregoing account is chiefly condensed from 
"Annals of Bristol," a series of papers published in 
" The Bristol Phenix, " in 1845. 
12 



S8 



VI. 
THE WORK RESUMED.— 1785-1812. 

THE CATHOLIC SOCIETY ORGANIZED. 

At the close of the war, as soon as the town began 
to rall}^ from its long prostration, the friends of the 
Congregational Church took measures to resume 
with new vigor the work of building up Zion. 
Some of the leading members of the Congregation 
at a meeting, 1783, March 31st, opened a scheme for 
a fund, "the annual interest of which to be appro- 
priated for the support of an Orthodox Congrega- 
tional Minister." At a meeting, 1784, September 
6th, it was voted to petition the General Assembly 
for an Act of Incorporation. 

The Charter of the " Catholic Congregational 
Societj', of Bristol, R. I.," was granted b}^ the Gen- 
eral Assembl}^ of the State, 1784, October 4th, " for 
the purpose of raising a fond b}' free and voluntary 
subscriptions, contributions, legacies and donations, 
for the support of public worship in the Congrega- 
tional Society in the town of Bristol, of which the 
Rev. John Burt was the late Pastor." 

By the terms of the Charter the Society were re- 
stricted to the raising of moneys for the purposes 
named onh', " by free and voluntary subscription, 
contribution, legacy or donation." And if ever 
there shall be a less number than nine members, then 



89 



" all monej's, bonds, mortgages, deeds, notes, obliga- 
tions, books and papers of eveiy kind, together with 
all the estate, both real and personal, whatsoever 
at that time belonging to the said Catholic Society, 
shall be given up to and the sole property thereof be 
vested in the Congregational Societ}^ aforesaid, for 
whose use and benefit the said Catholic Society is 
instituted." 

This Society have continued to act in cooperation 
with the Church to the present day. The " Ministry 
Lands," originall}' entrusted to the town, naturall}' 
and properly fell to the care of the Catholic Societ}', 
and all the arrangements for the support of the Gos- 
pel Ministry and for meeting the current expenses of 
the Church are under its direction. 

ERECTION OF THE SECOND HOUSE OF WORSHIP. 

Soon after the organization of the Catholic Society, 
measures w^ere taken for the erection of a new house 
of worship. The site chosen was at the corner of 
Hope and Bradford streets. The house was raised, 
1784, June 12th, and was finished and dedicated to 
Almight}^ God, 1785, Januar}' 5th, the day of the 
ordination of the Rev. Henry Wight. The house 
was of the stjde of architecture common at that 
period, with square pews, high pulpit. Deacon's seat 
in front, and sounding board overhead. At a later 
period it was thoroughly renovated in the interior by 
substituting for the square pews the modern style of 
slips, and neatly covering' the walls with " hard 
finish." It served the congregation until the erection 



90 



of the present house in 1856, when it was given to 
the town, who removed it to its present site, on the 
north side of Bradford street, and having thoronglily 
remodeled the interior, witli but little change in the 
exterior, have since used it for Town purposes. 

HENRY WIGHT, D. D. SIXTH PASTOR. 

The Rev. Henry Wight, born iiiMedfield, Mass., 
in 1753, graduated at Harvard College in 1782, 
began to preach liere 1784, March 14th, and being 
unanimously^ chosen to the Pastoral office with the 
heart}^ concurrence of the newl}- formed Catholic 
Society, he was ordained 1785, Jamiary 5th, in con- 
nection with the interesting services of dedicating 
the new house of worship. The sermon on this 
occasion was b}^ the Rev. Thomas Prentiss, Pastor 
of the Church in Medfield, Mass., in which Mr. 
Wight was baptized in infancy and had passed his 
earl}' years, from the text 2 Corinthians, vi. 3, 4. 
The ordaining prayer and charge to the Pastor were 
by the Rev. Solomon Townsend, of Barrington, and 
the Right-hand of Fellowship b}' the Rev. Robert 
Rogerson, of Rehoboth, Mass. 

Very soon after the installation of Mr. Wight, the 
list of Church members was revised, and was found 
to contain thirtj'-six names of persons then living, 
of whom seven were males and twenty-nine were 
females. On the 21st of March, 1785, the custom of 
" owning Covenant" which had previously prevailed 
was abolished by the following votes : 



91 



"Voted, that the half-way Covenant is not consistent 
with the spirit of the Gospel, and a hindrance to vital 
piety. 

" Voted, that hereafter this Church will have but one 
Covenant for admission of members to their body." 

Dr. Wight continued in the sole pastorate of the 
Church until 1815, November 13th, when the Rev. 
Joel Mann was ordained as Colleague Pastor. On 
the 11th of November, 1828, at his own request, he 
was dismissed by an Ecclesiastical Council, but con- 
tinued to reside among his people to the day of his 
death, in August, 1837, in the eighty-sixth year of 
his age. His residence was at the corner of High 
and Bradford streets, the house now occupied by 
William H. Spooner, Esq. His family consisted of 
several sons and daughters, who grew up in the 
Christian faith, and adorned the stations of life 
which they were called to fill. The eldest, John B. 
Wight, was ordained Pastor of the Congregational 
Church in East Sudbury, Mass., 1815, January 25th. 
The sermon on the occasion, which was published 
with the other parts of the services by the Church, 
was from Matthew xxviii. 20, by the Rev. Joseph 
McKean, LL. D., Professor in Harvard College. 
The Charge to the Pastor was by his father. 

From 1793 to 1833, Dr. Wight was a member of 
the Board of Fellows of Brown University, and in 
1811 received from thence the degree of Doctor in 
Divinit3\ 

His ministry, continuing for nearh' half a centur}', 
longer than that of any other pastor, was character- 



92 



ized by Catholicity in intercourse with other denomi- 
nations, and an amiability of spirit and fidelity to 
his convictions of right, which won respect and con- 
fidence. He took an active interest in the political 
questions of the day, and did not hesitate to intro- 
duce topics of this nature in his pulpit ministrations, 
which offended some whose views differed from his 
and led to their withdrawal from the Society. He 
was singularly faithful in recording all the votes of 
the Church, and even the informal proceedings of 
Conferences and Committee meetings. He also kept 
for many years quite a full record of current events 
in the town, particularly of marriages and deaths, 
and this book has alread}^ proved to be of invaluable 
worth in proving titles to property and to the boun- 
ties and pay of soldiers and others who died in the 
Governmental service. 

During the sole pastorate of Dr. Wight, there 
were two hundred and twenty-eight additions to the 
Church membership, and a large number of children 
and adults were baptized. 

His memory is precious to the aged few who 3'et 
survive to recall his labors in the days of his strength. 
The marks of his influence are indelibly traced in 
the character of the communit}^ ; and in the great 
day of account we doubt not it will be said of this 
man, " Well done, good and faithful servant, enter 
thou into the joy of th}^ Lord." 

His mortal remains rest in the Juniper Hill Ceme- 
tery, and over his grave is erected a memorial stone 
with the following inscription : 



93 

"The Grave of 

REY. HENRY- WIGHT, D. D., 

Born in MedfieJd, Mass., 

May 26, 1752. 

Graduated 

at Harvard College, 1782: 

Settled over the Cong. Church 

in this place Jan. 5, 1785. 

Deceased Aug. 12, 1837, 

in the 86th year 

of his age, 

and the 53d of his ministry. 



Faithful and kind in the duties 

of his sacred office. 

Affectionate and tender 

in the relations of domestic life, 

his memory is precious 

to his surviving kindred and people. 

With long life was lie satisfied 

and his end was peace. 



Bemember the words which I spake unto yoti 
while I was yet present with you^ 



94 



VII. 
THE PERIOD OF REVIVALS.— 1812-1830. 

THE REVIVAL OF 1812. 

Revivals of Religion of remarkable depth and 
power were enjoj'ed by man}^ of the Churches of New 
England during the earl}- part of the present cen- 
tury. 

The first signal awakening of this description in 
this town began to be developed in the summer of 
1812, and was promoted through the united efforts 
of all the Churches among whom there prevailed a 
delightful harmou}'. 

The Rev. Isaac Lewis, D. D.. of New York, as he 
was journe3'ing with his wife for her health, tarried 
for a night in Bristol. Learning of the interesting 
state of the public mind on the subject of personal 
religion, he was induced to remain a few da3^s to 
participate in the good work. It was arranged that 
he should preach on a week da}^ in the Congrega- 
tional house, and notice of the service was circulated 
as far as practicable. As the hour of meeting ap- 
proached the people en masse turned from their shops, 
their farms and their homes, and flocked to the 
Sanctuary. An air of solemnity and earnestness 
pervaded the crowded assembl3\ Even those who 
came from curiosit}^, or from an impulse which they 
could hardly define, as they crossed the threshold of 



95 



the House of God, were deepl}' impressed with the 
thought that it was an hour of supreme importance 
to them. The preacher felt the inspiration of the 
occasion, and preached from the text " Remember 
now thy Creator in the da3's of th}' 3'outh," Eccles. 
xii. 1. The vast audience were deeply moved. 
Many were convicted of sin and a number then and 
there resolved to be at peace with God. 

From this time the Revival progressed in depth 
and power, and the labors of Dr. Lewis, in coopera- 
tion with the pastors, were greatly blessed. Many 
were converted. Persons who had grown old in sin, 
broken hearted turned unto the Lord and received 
pardon. Men and women encompassed by the cares 
of this world and eagerl}^ pursuing its riches were 
arrested to care for their never-d3'ing souls and to 
obtain the enduring riches of heaven. Young men 
and maidens in the vigor of their strength laid their 
all upon the altar of God and entered upon the 
Christian service. For many months the whole 
interest of the people was absorbed in this mighty 
work of the Spirit, and the incidents connected with 
it remained the subject of delightful and thankful 
record while any of the generation lived who had 
been made partakers of it. 

The influence of this Revival extended to other 
towns and Churches, and in mam' places its impres- 
sions were indellible. At one time, a part}' of young 
men from west of the Ba}- came in a boat for the 
express purpose of having a " rollicking time," and 
to disturb the meetings. The Spirit of God met 



96 



them here and some of the number were converted, 
returned home to carry the good influence with them, 
and became eminently devoted Christians. 

All the Churches in Bristol shared in this glorious 
Revival. The venerable Dr. Griswold, Rector of 
St. Michael's Espiscopal Church, was also Bishop of 
the Diocese which then embraced all the New Eng- 
land States. Entering cordially into the work, his 
influence was felt not only in his own Church, which, 
under his Ministry and the holy influence that per- 
vaded the town, glowed with large results of the 
Divine Blessing, but throughout the Diocese giving 
new character and life to many of the Churches. 
Around him as a leader and example gathered the 
evangelical elements of the body, and from his Minis- 
try and Episcopate, the distinguishing sentiments of 
the Evangelical party received their organized shape 
and tone. 

Dr. Wight, the pastor of this Church, being ad- 
vanced in life, from the infirmities of age, could do 
but little beside the routine work of his calling. 
Under these circumstances Dr. Lewis was emplo} ed 
as an assistant for a period of six months, and 
invited to settle as Colleague Pastor. This he de- 
clined, but during his temporary engagement insti- 
tuted a class for Doctrinal instruction, embracing 
over a hundred persons, chiefly converts of the 
Revival in our congregation. The class met weekly 
and recited lessons from the Assembly's Shorter 
Catechism. These were accompanied by familiar 
but elaborate lectures on the doctrines of the Bible 



97 



By this means Christians icere rooted and grounded 
in the faith ^ and an Evangelical tone was given to the 
Church which has ever since characterized it. 

The fruits of this gracious Revival were remarka- 
bly permanent and abiding. The Sabbath services 
were crowded with attendants. The congregations 
were serious, earnest, and engaged in worship. The 
people listened to the faithful preaching of the Gospel 
with unbroken interest. The meetings for private 
worship and instruction in the week were well 
attended. A religious spirit was the very atmos- 
phere of the place, and the people were united, 
ready and earnest in ever}^ good work. This was 
the immediate fruit and influence of the great revival 
of 1812. To the few surviving subjects of it, the 
recollection to this day is most precious. Their 
countenances are animated with jo}^ and their lips 
are tremulous with grateful emotion, as they speak 
of the gracious scenes of this remarkable awakening 
sixt}^ 3'ears ago. 

JOEL MANN. SEVENTH PASTOR. 

The great revival of 1812 and its results, prepared 
the wa}^ for the settlement of the Rev. Joel Manx, 
the Seventh Pastor, 1815, November loth, as a 
Colleague with Dr. Wight. He was a native of 
Oxford, N. H., and graduated at Dartmouth College 
in 1812. He remained in the Pastoral office until 
1826, September 14th, when, at his request, he was 
dismissed by Ecclesiastical Council, and was after- 
wards settled in Kingston, Greenwich, Conn., and 
Salem, Mass. 



98 



His Ministry was erainentl}^ successful, and was 
particularly distinguished for the institution of the 
Sabbath School, the great revival of 1820, and the 
erection of " the Hall," accounts of which are given 
further on. He is still living in a remarkabl}^ vigor- 
ous old age in Brooklyn, N. Y., and is cordially 
received by his friends and former parishioners on 
his annual visits to the town. 

His residence here was on Bradford street, a few 
rods east from the present Parsonage, in a house 
recently owned and occupied by Messadore T. 
Bennett, P^sq.^ which was destroyed b}' fire on the 
4th of July, 1870. 

THE SABBATH SCHOOL BEGUN. 

The Sabbath school was first instituted in the 
town of Bristol in the spring of 1815. Miss Susan 
Wyatt, associating with herself three others, viz. : 
Miss Mar}^ A. Bourne, Miss Abb}' Monroe, and 
Miss Wait}' Sanford, opened a school on Sunday 
afternoons at five o'clock in the school room of her 
father, Mr. Stutely Wyatt, on High street. This 
school continued in successful operation until the 
approach of winter when it was discontinued. 

The following year, 1816, Miss Mary T. Borden 
(afterwards Mrs. Nathaniel Gladding,) opened a 
school in the south-west basement room of the house 
on Hope street, now owned and occupied by James 
E. French, Esq., where she also kept a day school 
for man}' years. Here for several years Miss Bor- 
den, assisted by members of the Church, gave Sab- 



99 



bath instruction to the young. From a small beginning 
the school grew in interest and importance until in 
1820, June 26th, the Church, by a formal vote, took 
the school under its own charge, appointed a com- 
mittee to conduct its affairs, and chose teachers for 
the several classes. 

From this time to the present the school has been 
under the fostering care of the Church, and is re- 
garded not as a separate institution but as a field of 
labor for which the Church is responsible. The 
Superintendent, nominated b}' the teachers, is elected 
b}' the Church at the annual meeting, and to the 
Church he makes an annual report of its condition. 

Previous to 18G5, the school was held successively 
in private rooms and in the various "Halls" that 
had been provided for conference meetings, etc. 
But the growth of the school made it necessary to 
secure a larger place for its sessions, and in the 
autumn of that year the school was transferred to 
the House of Worship and was soon doubled in num 
bers. Here its sessions were regularlj^ held until 
the completion of the " Memorial Chapel" in 1870, 
in whose beautiful and convenient rooms it has at 
last found a Home. 

A library of about six hundred volumes is con- 
nected with the school, arranged in three departr 
ments, Youths', Intermediate, and Adult, to which 
additions are annually made. 

THE REVIVAL OF 1820. 

During the Winter and Spring of 1819-20, another 
13 



100 



season of extraordinary refreshing from on high was 
enjoyed. Previous to its manifestation there was 
nothing special to awaken expectations of it, save 
that in the weekly meetings of conference and prayer 
and the Sabbath services an earnest evangelical 
spirit prevailed, the habit of famil}' prayer was 
generally maintained, and songs of praise were heard 
in the evening hour from man}' an habitation. Re- 
specting the progress of this Revival the pastor, the 
Rev. Joel Mann, writes as follows : 

" The meetings became more frequent, and as room in 
a private house was not sufficient to accommodate the 
people, they were transferred to the second story of a cabi- 
net-mnker's shop. Here was disphiyed the power and 
grace of God, from day to day, in a signal manner. It was 
the place in which many submitted to the Lord, and found 
joy and peace in believing. 

'•This room became so filled as to be uncomfortable, 
and another, over a carriage house, was prepared and 
seated at considerable expense. 

"This proving too strait, meetings were lield in the 
church, and at length the large room m the Court House 
was obtained, which was occupied and filled from evening 
to evening for many weeks, until needed for a session of 
the court. Here cases of conscience were tried and de- 
cided. Here the Omniscient Judge presided, and trembling 
sinners were arraigned and made to feel and acknowledge 
their guilt. Here long-standing controversies were settled 
between Him and them. Here violaters of divine law 
were convicted, owned the justice of their <;ondenmation, 
submitted to the disposal of the Judge, and obtained par- 
doning mercy. The pleadings of God's people were heard, 
and the blessings for which they sued were granted. The 
voices of converts proclaimed the riches of divine grace, 



101 



the wonders of redeeming love, and songs of praise burst 
forth on every side. The Lord Jesus held His court there, 
presented an indictment to the conscience of many a sin- 
ner, made him plead guilty, and then discharged him with 
full and free forgiveness. The scenes enacted there made 
a new swell of joy in heaven, and brought glory and praise 
to the divine head of the Church." 

As in the Revival of 1812, so in this the work was 
shared by all the Churches iu town, and a delightful 
spirit of Catholic union prevailed. Bishop Gris- 
wold, the Rector of St. Michael's Church, had, under 
his charge, several students for the Ministrj', among 
whom was the venerable Stephen H.Tyug, Sr.,D. D., 
of New York city. Being suddenly prostrated by 
sickness, the responsibility of guiding inquirers, 
holding conference and prayer meetings, etc., de- 
volved largely upon these students who, under the 
blessing of the Spirit in this remarkable work, 
received an impulse and a tone of piet}- which, in 
subsequent years, distinguished them as Evangelical 
preachers and earnest winners of souls. The name 
of Dr. T^^ng especiall}' is familiar to all, and the 
thrilling watchword, " Stand up for Jesus," uttered 
by his son in a dying hour, furnished the inspiration 
of one of the sweetest songs of Zion, sung in ever}^ 
land and language where the story of the Cross is 
told. 

ERECTION OF " THE HALL." 

Conference meetings and lectures were first held 
in private houses and in the Pastor's study or par- 



102 



lor ; but at length the time arrived when a room in 
a private house no longer answered the wants of the 
people and resort was had successively to several 
halls. 

The first hall used for this purpose was owned by 
Joseph Brown, Esq., and stood near the present site 
of the Methodist Church on State street. It was in 
the second story, and was also used as a school room 
by Mr. W3^att Manchester until his decease. The 
lower story was used for storing lumber. This was 
known as the " Blue Hall, " until it was sold, re- 
moved to " the Neck," and made over into a dwell- 
ing house. 

On leaving the " Blue Hall," a small hall in the 
second stor}" of another building on State street was 
rented for a short time, but it proving too strait for 
the wants of the people it was abandoned, and 
the Court house on the Common was obtained for 
use, excepting when needed for Court business. 

This arrangement not proving satisfactor}^, meas- 
ures were taken in the spring of 1821 to erect a 
Conference Hall. This was completed early in the 
winter of 1821-2, at a cost of about seven hundred 
and twenty dollars, under the supervision of Benja- 
min Wyatt, Benjamin Norris, and Giles Luther, as 
a Building Committee. It was located near the 
Parsonage, on the north side of Bradford street. It 
was a plain structure, measuring fort}^ b}^ thirt}* feet, 
with ten feet w^alls and an arched ceiling. It was 
furnished with plain wooden seats, but originall}' the 
seats on either side of the desk were considerably 



103 



higher than the rest, and were occupied by the elder 
and more prominent members of the Church. One 
of the builders wished to have it called "Puritan 
Hall," and cut those words with considerable care 
on what he designed for the corner stone, but another 
with iconoclastic tendencies broke the stone in pieces 
with a maul, so the edifice was ever spoken of as 
simply " The Hall." 

This Hall served the congregation for more than 
forty years, and was the scene of man}' seasons of 
spiritual refreshing. The farewell meeting held in 
it, 1870, February 20th, was one of peculiar interest. 
The room was filled to overflowing. The time was 
occupied with grateful reminiscences connected with 
the Hall, and with praise and prayer. After two 
hours thus occupied, all who had been converted in 
this Hall or b}' impressions received in it were re- 
quested to rise, and about one-third of the entire 
assembly responded. It was a most aflfecting testi- 
mou}' to the goodness of God experienced within 
those hallowed walls. 

ISAAC LEWIS, D. D. EIGHTH PASTOR. 

After the dismission of Mr. Mann, the hearts of 
the people turned to the Rev. Isaac Lewis, D. D., 
whose labors in the Revival of 1812 were so signally 
blessed, b}^ which he was greatl}- endeared to them. 
With hearty unanimit^^ he was called to the Pastoral 
office and installed 1828, November 12th. He re 
sided on Hope street, in the house now owned and 
occupied by the heirs of the late Major Jacob Bab- 



104 



bitt. He remained in office until a failure of 
voice compelled him to retire, much to the regret of 
his people, 1831, September 28. After his dismis- 
sion he resided in the family of his daughter in New 
York. 

Dr. Lewis, and a brother Zechariah, were twin 
sons of the Rev. Isaac Lewis, D. D., Sr., born in 
Wilton, Conn., 1773, January 1st, and were both 
graduated at Yale College in 1794. 

The father was a son of a worthy and respectable 
farmer in Huntington, Conn., born in 1746, and 
graduated at Yale College in 1765. His conversion 
was during his junior year in college under the fol- 
lowing remarkable circumstances : At that time the 
whole college was poisoned through the villainy of 
certain French neutrals. These fellows had taken 
mortal offence at the conduct of a few wild students, 
and, though every reasonable effort at reconciliation 
was made they refused to be reconciled, meditating 
the most deadly revenge. To accomplish their pur- 
pose they contrived to visit the kitchen at which the 
food of the students was prepared, and infused a 
large quantity of arsenic into one of the dishes that 
was to be placed before them. A deadly sickness 
came over all who had eaten of the dish, but by an 
immediate resort to medical aid most of them were 
cured, a few were so much affected that the}' died 
shortly after. Ver}' soon after this the evangelist 
Whitefield visited New Haven, and preached in the 
College Chapel, and made use of this event as a 
solemn admonition. A profound impression was 



105 



made upon the whole college, and man}' of the stu- 
dents were hopefulh' converted, among them the 
subject of this notice. After graduation he pursued 
theological studies under the direction of the Rev. 
Samuel Buell, of East Hampton, L. I., and of his 
pastor the Rev. Mr. Mills, of Huntington* Receiv- 
ing calls to settle at Newport, R. I., and Wilton, 
Conn., he accepted the latter, and was ordained 1768, 
October 26th, and was married the same year to 
Hannah, eldest daughter of Matthew Beale, of New 
Preston, Conn., a lad}' every way suited to the sta- 
tion to which her marriage introduced her. During 
the Revolutionar}' struggle he espoused his country's 
cause with great zeal, served seven months as chap- 
lain to one of the Connecticut regiments, and after 
the State troops were disbanded was appointed chap- 
lain in the Continental arm}', but his people being 
unwilling to spare him again he declined the appoint- 
ment. A few 3'ears subsequent to this he labored 
arduously for a season in a missionary tour to the 
destitute fields in the vichiity of Dorset, Vt. During 
his residence in Wilton, he was invited to take 
charge of a congregation in South Carolina, but de- 
clined it, chiefly on the ground of his " strong dis- 
approbation of the system of slavery." Becoming 
satisfied that the prevailing practice of " the half- 
wa}' Covenant " was wrong, he took a stand against 
it, occasioning dissatisfaction among his people and 
finally leading to his dismission in June, 1786, after 
a Ministry of nearly eighteen years. On the day of 
his dismission he was invited to preach at Green- 



106 



wich, Conn., and was soon after called to the Pas- 
torate which he accepted, and was installed 1786, 
October 18th. After a highly successful ministry, 
by which he was greatl3^ endeared to his people, he 
was dismissed, at his own urgent request, on account 
of the infirmities of age, 1818, December 1st, but he 
continued to dwell among his people, and to labor 
for their welfare as his strength would allow until 
his decease, 1840, August 27th, at the advanced age 
of nearly ninety-five years. In 1792 he received 
from his alma mater the degree of Doctor in Divinity. 
In 1816 he was chosen a member of the corporation 
of Yale College. He had a prominent agency in 
man}' of the benevolent movements of the day, and 
was connected with most of the prominent societies 
then existing for the extension of the Gospel and the 
promotion of the great interests of humanity. Dr. 
Lewis and his wife were the parents of nine chil- 
dren, six sons and three daughters. Of the five sons 
who lived to maturity-, three were educated at Yale 
College, two entered the Ministry, and three were 
lawj-ers. Their mother died 1829, April 13th. 

Zechariah, one of the twin brothers, studied 
theolog}^ at Philadelphia, Pa., and was, at the same 
time, a private tutor in the family of General Wash- 
ington. In 1746 he was licensed to preach, but 
accepted the office of tutor in Yale College, where he 
continued until a failure of health compelled him to 
resign in the summer of 1799. Not recovering health 
suflScient to enter upon the Ministry, he became edi- 
tor of " the Commercial Advertiser " and " New 



107 



York Spectator," and remained in this emploj'ment 
till about the year 1820. He was subsequently cor- 
responding secretar}^ of the " New York Religious 
Tract Society," and of the " United Foreign Mission 
Society ;" and commenced and for several 3'ears 
edited the " American Missionar}^ Register." He 
died at his residence in Brookh'n, N. Y., 1840, 
November 14th, in the sixtj'-eighth year of his age. 

Dr. Lewis, our Pastor, pursued his theological 
studies at New Haven, under both Presidents Stiles 
and Dwight. He was ordained 1798, May 30th, and 
in 1800 was installed over the First Presbj'terian 
Church in Cooperstown, N. Y., from whence he was 
called, in 1806, to the Presb3^terian Church in Goshen, 
N. Y., and from there came to Bristol in 1812. After 
his brief but fruitful labors here, he officiated as 
stated supph' in the Churches of New Rochelle and 
West Farms, N. Y., until he was called to succeed 
his venerable father at Greenwich, Conn., being in- 
stalled on the day of his father's dismission, 1818, 
December 1st. After aremarkabl}' successful Minis- 
tr}' of a few years he resigned his charge, and was 
soon after settled as the eighth Pastor in the line of 
succession over this ancient Church. 

In 1844 he was honored with the degree of Doctor 
in Divinity by Delaware College. In 1827 he preached 
the Election Sermon at New Haven, Conn. Several 
sermons and public addresses were published, includ- 
ing the Ordination sermon of Rev. Joshua Knight, at 
Sherburne, Mass., 1804, two or three occasional ser- 
mons preached at Bristol, and an address before the 
Fairfield County Bible Society in 1844. 



108 



A man of excellent talents, of elevated Christian 
character, of fine expressive countenance, of urbane 
and gentlemanly manners, and of richly endowed and 
well furnished mind, he commanded the respect of 
all. As a preacher he was sound in doctrine, able 
and eloquent in appeal. As a Pastor he was faithful, 
and w on the hearts of all who received his kind and 
Christian ministrations. He died at New York, 
1854, September 23d, in the eighty second year of 
his age. 

His Ministr}^ in Bristol, though brief, was dis- 
tinguished by another of those seasons of gi-eat 
spiritual refreshing which characterized this period, 
resulting in large accessions to the membership of 
the Church. 

THE REVIVAL OF 1830. 

Though from advancing years the natural force of 
Dr. Lewis had in a degree abated, the recollection of 
his past services secured for him a warm welcome 
to the hearts of the people who were ready to co- 
operate with him in every good word and work. The 
thoroughly evangelical character of his preaching, 
his fidelity in pastoral labors, the sweet influence of 
his christian example, the kindl}' and prayerful co- 
operation of the Church prepared the way for a 
third general Revival in 1830, of a similar character 
and extent to the two which had preceded it. Re- 
specting this great w^ork of grace, we make no 
special record of incidents or details, but it is grate- 
fully remembered b}' the surviving subjects of it as 



109 



a precious season of interest throughout all the 
Churches, and affecting nearl}- ever}^ family in the 
town. The converts, numbered by hundi-eds, were 
of all ages and several of them w^ere far advanced 
in life, who, having passed through the previous sea- 
sons of refreshing without submitting themselves to 
God, felt that this was a last call to them, and un- 
less they now yielded to the Divine claims their day 
of grace was over. 

Thus has God blessed this Church and town with 
repeated and remarkable Pentecostal seasons, and 
his blessing has rested upon the conimunit}- at all 
times. Surely He is faithful that hath promised, and 
His mercies are from everlasting to everlasting. 
With what gratitude should we acknowledge his 
goodness, with Avhat penitence should we acknow- 
ledge our sins before Him, with what earnest faith 
should we consecrate ourselves and all that we pos- 
sess to His service. 



110 



VIII. 

THE BUILDING STILL GOING FORWARD. 

1830-1872. 

JOHN STARKWEATHER. NINTH PASTOR. 

The ninth Pastor in the succession was the Rev. 
John Starkweather, a native of Worthington, 
Mass. ; a graduate of Yale College, 1825, and of 
Andover Theological Seminary. The call, voted on 
the 21st of November, 1831, was unanimous, and 
with cordial harmou}- he was duly installed on the 
14th of December following. For a time this unani- 
mity of feeling continued, but at length there arose 
considerable dissatisfaction and w ant of confidence 
which was expressed in a written communication to 
the Pastor, signed b}' tw enty-one male members. On 
the 29th of December, 1834, the matter was mu- 
tually referred to an Ecclesiastical Council, who 
advised the dissolution of the Pastoral relation, 
which advice w^as accepted. 

During his brief Ministr}^ twenty -two were added 
to the Church, and the Manual which has been in 
use to the present time was prepared and published. 

THOMAS SHEPARD, D. D. TENTH PASTOR. 

Soon after the dismission of Mr. Starkweather, 
efforts were made to secure the services of the Rev. 
Thomas Shepard, late of Ashfield, Mass., and by a 



Ill 



unanimous vote of the Church and Societ}- he was 
called to the Pastoral office, 1835, April 1st. Ac- 
cepting the call he was dul^' installed on the 30th of 
April following. ■ . . 

Dr. Shepard was a native of Norton, Mass., 
born 1792, May 7th; graduated at Brown Univer- 
sit}' 1813, and at Andover Theological Seminary 
1816 ; was employed until 1819 as a missionar}^ and 
teacher in the State of Georgia ; and on the IGth of 
June, of that 3'ear, was ordained as Colleague Pastor 
with the venerable Nehemiah Porter over the Church, 
in Ashtield, Mass. After a successful ministr}' of about 
fourteen years, during which two hundred and seveut}'- 
four were admitted to his Church ; he was dismissed 
1833, May 8th. After his dismission from Ashfield, 
he was employed as an agent for the American Bible 
Societ}' about two years, from which service he was 
called to the Pastorate here. In 1853 he received 
from Brown University the Degree of Doctor in 
Divinity. In 1846 he was elected a corporate mem- 
ber of the American Board of Commissioners for 
Foreign Missions. 

A Parsonage was earl}' in his Ministr}' erected on 
Bradford street, which he has occupied with his 
family ever since. A few years ago Mrs. Sarah W. 
Shepard, the sharer of his jo^'s and burdens, was 
called to her home above. A devoted wife and 
mother, a faithful friend to all, and especially kind 
to the poor, a decided Christian in all the walks of 
life, her memory is cherished gratefull}' b}^ the 
people among whom she passed her useful life. 
14 



112 



On the 7th of May, 1865, he resigned the active 
duties and responsibilities of the Pastoral office, and 
asked that a successor might be chosen. His resig- 
nation was accepted, with the understanding that he 
would continue to live among his own people until 
called up higher, and the use of the Parsonage was 
tendered him during the remainder of his life. He 
still lives among us as the retired Pastor universally 
respected and beloved. 

During his Ministry several seasons of unusual 
religious interest transpired. In 1837, 1838, 1842, 
1846, 1852 and 1858, the Holy Spirit's power was 
manifested in the quickening of God's children and 
the conversion of many souls. These seasons are 
gratefully' remembered by all who were participants 
in them. 

ERECTION OF THE THIRD HOUSE OF WORSHIP. 

Early in 1855, the subject of erecting a new House 
of Worship was agitated, and, after some delibera- 
tion, it was decided to proceed to build. The fol- 
lowing gentlemen were chosen a Building Commit- 
tee, under whose supervision the work was success- 
fully accomplished : William B. Spooner, Messadore 
T. Bennett, Josiah Gladding, Stephen T. Church, 
and Nathan Bard in. 

The House is located on the corner of Bradford 
and High streets, fronting on the latter. It has 
three entrances in front and a rear entrance at the 
south-east corner leading to the library and pulpit, 
and also leadiiig to the chapel recently built. It has 



113 



a tower on the north-west corner eighteen feet square 
with buttresses extending upward about eighty feet, 
surmounted with belfre}- and turrets. The full di- 
mensions of the house are as follows : Length, one 
hundred and one feet ; width, sixty-seven feet ; walls, 
twenty-eight feet high in the clear, and thirt3'-nine 
feet from the floor to the apex of nave of the main 
arch. The style of architecture is gothic. The 
trimmings and buttresses are of pure granite ; the 
filling up is of a stone somewhat different in qualitj", 
presenting a pleasing variet}^ in figure and color. 
The roof is covered with slate and tin. The interior 
is finished with groin arched ceiling with eight pend- 
ants or corbels for springing the arches, and from 
which depend the chandeliers. The pews, number- 
ing one hundred and fourteen on the main floor, are 
circular, trimmed with black walnut, and neatly up- 
holstered. The i^ulpit, communion table and chairs 
are of black walnut, harmonising well with the gen- 
eral st^'le of the house. The recess back of the 
pulpit is richh' frescoed as are also the arches in the 
ceiling of the roof. The organ, made b\' IMessrs. 
Hook, of Boston, is finished to correspond with the 
interior of the Church. The case is gothic, thirty- 
four feet high and fourteen feet wide. It has thirt}-- 
two registers or stops, and is of superior tone and 
capacity-. The orchestra is dropped within a few 
feet of the main floor, and harmonizes in style with 
the pulpit at the opposite end. The entire floor of 
the Church is richly carpeted, and the whole interior 
is lighted with gas. The architect was Seth H. 



114 



Ingalls, and the master builder was William Ingalls, 
both of New Bedford, Mass. 

The House stood complete and read}^ for dedica- 
tion in November, 1856. On the 23d, farewell ser- 
vices of an interesting character including an histori- 
cal discourse by the Pastor, founded on Psalm xlviii. 
12-13, were held in the old House, and on the 25th 
the new House was dedicated to Almighty God 
with appropriate services including discourse b}^ the 
Pastor, founded on Psalm Ixxvii. 13. These were oc- 
casions of special interest to the congregation who 
requested copies of the discourses for publication, 
which request was complied with. The following 
extracts from these discourses will show the anima- 
ting spirit of Pastor and people : 

" In taking leave of these venerable walls within which 
our fathers have sat and listened to the messages of salva- 
tion for seventy-two years, whore venerable men of God, 
some of whom have ceased from earth and gone to their 
final reward, have been trained for the kingdom of glory, 
where the praises of God have been sung by lips which are 
now responding to angelic harps around the throne, many 
affecting thoughts crowd themselves upon our minds. 
This has been the birth-place of souls. Here, blind eyes 
have been opened to behold the light of truth, as it shines 
in the fn.ce of Jesus. Here deaf ears have been unstopped 
to listen with rapture to the messages of mercy tlirough 
atoning blood. Here multitudes have set out in the 
christian race, for the prize of an unfading crown. Oh! 
how hallowed to memory is such a place. But it has done 
its work, and in the revolutions of time it is meet that 
it should give place to another, and a more com- 
modious and more attractive liouse of worship. And while 



115 



the very dnst of this sanctuary will ever remain precious 
in our eyes, may our united prayers ascend to God, that 
the glory of the latter house may exceed the glory of the 
former. The materials of its walls are imperishable. 
Long, long will it resist the corroding tooth of time. Cen- 
turies will not impair those granite foundations, scores of 
generations will worship in its courts, and thousands of the 
sanctified pass up to the purer devotions of licaven.'" 

'• What is this new and stately edifice, this pulpit, these 
pews, yonder orchestra, these frescoed arches? What but 
one common passage way to the grave, the judgment se;it, 
the retributions of eternity. If they all could speak to us, 
would not their united voice be "Prepare to meet thy 
God?" Oh if tliese buttresses and turrets and pillars and 
arches and gildings had a tongue to speak for Him, to 
whose service they are this day dedicated, they would say 
to you in tones unearthly, ' let not the novelty of these 
imposing scenes divert your minds one moment from the 
great question. What must I do to be saved ?' Consecra- 
ted stone (n- Avood or mortar wrought into the highest 
state of architectural symmetry and beauty cannot save 
you. Yonder organ with its deep and silvery tones, this 
pulpit with the highest eloquence that shall ever grace it, 
cannot, of themselves, work out your salvation. Except 
ye repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,— except ye 
give your heart to God and live to His glory, ye must live 
and die without hope. No external privileges can super- 
cede the necessity of the washing of regeneration and the 
renewing of the Holy Ghost." 

" See that you refuse not Him that speaketh to you to- 
day through these scenes and services. Bring no strange 
fii-e to oli*er on this altar. Come up hither witli the sacri- 
fice of an humble and contrite heart. Listen to the Word 
as those who must give account. Pray with a fervent 
spirit. Make melody in your hearts unto the Lord. In a 
word, worship God in spirit and in truth. And after a few 



116 



more Sabbath suns shall have arisen and set, you will have 
offered your last prayer, have sung your last hymn of 
praise, joined in your hist communion service, your seat 
be occupied by another, and your spirit, if purified in the 
blood of the Lamb, will pass away to the Sanctuary 
above, 

Where the assembly ne'er breaks up 
And the babbath ne'er shall end." 

CYRUS P. OSBORNE. ELEVENTH PASTOR. 

After the retirement of Dr. Shepard, several per- 
sons were heard as candidates for settlement until 
the 11th of September, 1865, when the Church voted 
unanimousl}' to call the Rev. Cyrus P. Osborne, in 
which action the Societ}' also concurred, and on the 
2d of November following, he was duly ordained and 
installed as the Eleventh Pastor in the succession. 

Mr. Osborne was born in East Boston, Mass., 
graduated at Harvard College, 1859, and at Andover 
Theological Seminary, 1862. He continued in the 
Pastoral office until 1870, June 6th, when, at his own 
request, he was dismissed, that he might avail him- 
self of a favorable opportunity to visit Europe and 
the Hol}^ Land. 

His ministry, though brief, was fruitful in good 
results. An interesting revival of religion was en- 
jo3'ed in 1866-67, during which season a large number 
of 3'oung persons professed conversion, and over a 
hundred united with the Church on profession of 
faith. 



117 



PAYMENT OF THE DEBT. 



One leading object in the organization of the 
Catholic Societ}' was to secure a permanent fund for 
the support of the Ministry. With much self-denial 
a fund was started which promised to be of very 
material aid by a prospective increase from year to 
year. But the event did not justify- the hopes thus 
entertained. Eighteen 3'ears later the fund seems to 
have shrank somewhat, for in the settlement with 
Dr. Wight a note of one thousand dollars was given 
b}' the Society. This beginning of debt was a bad 
precedent too easil}" followed in subsequent 3'ears, 
until it rolled up in round numbers to six thousand 
dollars. On the 22d of March, 1864, a member of 
the Society, who has since rested from his earthly 
labors, liberally offered "to pa}' one-half the. debt 
himself if the Societ}^ would raise by subscription a 
like sum." This offer set the people to thinking, 
but did not arouse them sufficientl}' to secure the de- 
sired end until the fall of 18G7, when, at a meeting 
in " the Hall," on the evening of September 17, 
about fort}'' members of the congregation being 
present, the ball was set in motion b}- a liberal sub- 
scription, a committee was appointed to canvass the 
parish, and in a few weeks the requisite amount was 
secured. Great was the rejoicing over this result, 
and a meeting of the people for thanksgiving and 
praise was appointed, which was attended by large 
numbers and is spoken of as " the Jubilee meet- 



118 



ERECTION OF THE MEMORIAL CHAPEL. 

The year following the pa3'ment of the Society's 
debt, the subject of erecting a Chapel was agitated, 
" the Hall " being thought by many to be too small 
for the present and prospective need of the Church. 
The Sabbath School began to make weekly offerings 
as the nucleus of a fund for this purpose, and plans 
were discussed of securing a general contribution 
throughout the congregation, but before arrange- 
ments were completed, two sisters who had often 
made the Church their debtor b}' their unstinted 
benefactions, desiring to honor their sainted parents 
and at the same time make provision for the wants of 
the Church, whose spiritual welfare was dear to them, 
assumed the entire responsibility of building and fur- 
nishing a '•'• Memorial Chapel." Arrangements were 
soon completed, and the work was begun under the 
supervision of IMessadore T. Bennett, William B. 
Spooner, William H. Church, Stephen T. Church, Mar- 
tin Bennett, and James E. French, as a building 
committee. The architect was Seth Ingalls, Esq., of 
New Bedford, Mass. The corner stone was laid 
with appropriate services at eleven o'clock, Tues- 
day, Jul}^ 6th, 1869, and in the following Februaiy 
the Chapel stood complete and furnished for oc- 
cupanc3\ 

The Chapel adjoins the Church edifice, with which 
it harmonizes in material and st3'le. The walls are 
of rubble stone ; the door, windows and buttresses 
of dressed granite. The side walls are thirteen feet, 
siVfid, the maiu gable thirty-four feet high. The ceil* 



119 



ing is finished to tlie height of twentj'-nine feet. A 
vestibule ten feet b}' eleven feet joins the Chapel to 
the Church. A north wing extends across the end 
of the vestibule and in the rear of the Church twent\'- 
six feet by twenty-two feet two inches. A south 
wing projects from the opposite side fifteen feet by 
twent3'-one feet eight inches. The main audience 
room, with which the wings are connected by sliding 
doors with ground glass panels, is thirty-three feet b}^ 
fifty feet. These are all inside measurements. The 
floors are of southern pine laid in mortar. The walls 
are ceiled up thirty inches from the floor with south- 
ern pine, having a base and chair moulding of black 
walnut. The ceiling overhead is finished with trans- 
verse arches and pendants or corbels for springing 
the arches to which are attached the gas fixtures. 
The walls above the chair moulding and the ceiling 
overhead are neatly tinted with a light color that 
harmonizes well with the general style of the interior. 
The western or front gable has a large gothic win- 
dow of stained glass, and a similar window of gi'ound 
glass is in the north gable. The other windows are 
all of ground glass. 

The main audience room is furnished with black 
walnut seats in cast iron frames with reversible 
backs, a neat black walnut desk made by William O. 
and Charles Manchester, and gothic chairs of the 
same material for the platform, a small black walnut 
table front of the desk, and a Mason & Hamlin 
organ, valued at three hundred dollars, presented b}" 
the Sabbath School. The aisles and the space front 



120 



of the seats and around the platform are covered 
with neat and durable matting, and the platform with 
a tasteful carpet. The north room is furnished with 
settees with reversible backs, and a movable desk 
and chairs, and the entire floor is neatly carpeted. 
The south room is carpeted similar to the north 
room, and is furnished with an extension table and 
movable chairs. B}' opening the sliding doors the 
three rooms are thrown into one, ever}^ part of which 
is in range with the desk of the large room. 

Upon the inner wall of the large room is a plain 
marble tablet, inscribed as follows : 

THIS CHAPEL 

Dedicated to the service of God, the Fathek, Son, 

AND Holy Ghost, 

Was Erected in 1869, in Memory of 

WILLIAM AND CHARLOTTE DEWOLF, 

Deceased 1829. 

By their Daughters Charlotte DeWolf and 

Maria DeWolf Rogers. 

" We have thoiight of thy loving kindness 

Ood in the midst of thy templet 

The Chapel was dedicated 1870, Februar}' 24th, 
with impressive services, including a dedicatory ad- 
dress b}^ the pastor, Mr. Osborne, and dedicatoiy 
prayer by Dr. Shepard. 

The address closed as follows : 

*' Thus, my hearers, does this occasion suggest to us im- 
portant duties, too apt to be neglected. Does it not also 



121 

call for gi-ateful acknowledgments ; first to God, whose 
providence has furnished us this gift ; next to the himian 
instruments of His benefaction. 

" It is pleasant to commc-nd. To praise the patience 
and wise council of the building committee, the skill of 
the architect and builder, the fidelity of the workmen in 
their several parts, the zeal of one who has shown the 
detipest interest in the difficult work of furnishing the 
several apartments were a grateful office and not embar- 
rassing. But wortliily to praise the bountiful devotion 
which has built these walls and given this edifice, with all 
its comely furnishings, a free-will offering to the Lord, — 
for this I have no fitting words. I cannot give voice to 
the grateful sentiments that pervade this assembly. Nor 
would I if I could. For this would only wound the ten- 
der sensibilities of natures as modest as they are munifi- 
cent. 

" We will only rejoice that their eyes have been per- 
mitted to behold their completed offering, and to be 
witnesses of our joy in its completion; and pray they may 
be spared to see it become according to their fervent wish, 
* the birthplace of souls,' and resolve never to forget 
tiieir frequently expressed desire, that this sanctuary may 
be hallowed to the service of the Master. 

*' There is an element in this ofiering too sacred for our 
touch. ' In Memoriam ' is graved upon its walls, point- 
ing our thoughts heavenward. 

' Oh, it is sweet to think of those that are departed, 
While uumbered prayers sink to silence tender-hearted; 
While tears that leave no pain, are tranquilly distilling, 
And the dead live again, in hearts that love is filling.' 

" Some will make the dead live again in flovvers upon 
their grave, watered with tears that have their fountains 
in the heart. Some will keep their name alive by tons of 
rock heaped over them,— marble from Italy or gi'anite 
from the hills, carved into elegant but idle forms. But far 



122 



more beautiful is that aflection which turns the memory of 
the dead into a benediction of the living. It was a loving 
thought of the sainted dead that reared this little temple. 
It was a happy thouglit that combined in a single act such 
honor to the memory of parents long departed, and such 
devotion t<j a Redeemer's cause. If the redeemed in 
heaven can witness earthly scenes, those revered parents 
must rejoice, as piety and filial love now lay this offering 
at Immanuel's feet." 

JAMES P. LANE. TWELFTH PASTOR. 

On the first Sabbath in November, 1870, the 
present Pastor began to preach as a candidate for 
settlement. Receiving a unanimous call from the 
Church and Society, he accepted the same, and on 
the 11th of Januar^^, 1871, was dul}" installed in 
office. The sermon on this occasion was by the Rev. 
Jacob M. Manning, D. D., of Boston, Mass. The 
installing prayer was by the Rev. John L. Ta3'lor, 
D. D., of Andover, Mass. 

Mr. Lane was a native of Candia, N. H. ; son of 
the late Isaiah Lane, M. D., who deceased at Meri- 
den, N. H., in 1855. He graduated at Amherst 
College, 1857, pursued Theological studies at And- 
over, and was ordained pastor of the Congregational 
Church in East Weymouth, Mass., 1861, January 
10th. After a ministry of nearly five years, during 
which about one hundred were admitted to the 
Church, he was called to the pastorate of the Free 
Church in Andover, and was installed 1866, April 
4th. From Andover he removed to Bristol. 



123 



CHARITABLE FUNDS AND CONTRIBUTIONS. 

A bequest of five himdred dollars, made bj' Mrs. 
Ann Coggeshall, widow of William Coggeshall, and 
deposited in " the Bristol Institution for Savings," 
is held in trust by the treasurer for the benefit " of 
need}' widows who are communicants and members 
of the Church," and the annual interest is distribu- 
ted to those who are entitled to receive it on or about 
the first of Januar}' in each 3'ear. This fund became 
first available in 1855. 

In 1867, November 6th, Mrs. Mary T. B. Glad- 
ding, (the founder of the Sabbath School in 1816,) 
deceased, aged eighty-two j^ears. After other be- 
quests, she gave to the Church the rest of her 
property, amounting to about five hundred dollars, 
to be forever held in trust for " the use and benefit 
of aged and indigent females, communicants of the 
Church." This fund is deposited in " the Bristol 
Institution for Savings," and the annual interest is 
distributed according to the terms of the bequest by 
the pastor at his discretion. 

The late B. W. Greene, Esq., of Hartford, Conn., 
made a bequest of property-, valued at about two 
thousand dollars, " to the poor of the Church congre- 
gation in Bristol, R. I., the proceeds or income to be 
distributed annually by the Deacons of the Church." 
The Will containing this bequest was set aside by 
the Probate Court, but the heirs generousl}' under- 
took to carry out the intentions of the testator in an 
agreement to pa}' over the amount " to the Congre- 
15 



124 



gational Church in Bristol, R. I., in trust that the 
income shall be annualh' spent for the poor of said 
Chnrch at their discretion." This fund, amounting 
to about two thousand two hundred dollars, is de- 
posited in '• the INIechanic's Savings Bank, Provi- 
dence," and in '' the Providence Institution for Sav- 
ings," the bank books being in the hands of the 
Church Treasurer. 

Collections for the poor are taken at each commun- 
ion season, and distributed b}" the Deacons at their 
discretion ; also, an annual collection for the same 
object at the time of the State and National Thanks- 
givino-. 

With these liberal provisions for the poor — sup- 
plemented by other private benefactions, — the Church 
is also mindful of the calls for religious and charita- 
ble work abroad. The causes of Home and Foreign 
Missions, Christian Education, Bible dissemination, 
etc., receive annual attention, and contributions 
amounting in the aggregate to several hundreds of 
dollars are made. A " Ladies Missionary' Societ}-," 
connected with the Church, contribute, besides do- 
nations in monc}', articles of clothing, etc., auxiliary 
to both the Home Missionary and Foreign Missiou- 
ar}' Boards of our denomination. 

A " Sewing School" has been sustained b}' several 
of the ladies of our congregation, and much good 
accomplished in teaching poor children this useful 
art, and providing needed garments which are given 
them. 

There are other local charities in the support of 



125 



which this Church unites, with the other religious 
societies in town, as follows : 

A " Home for destitute Children," under the care 
of a matron and the supervision of a board of ladj^ 
managers, selected from the various religious socie- 
ties in town. The current expenses of this noble 
charit}' are met chiefl}' b}' the voluntary contributions 
of the citizens annually. The house and garden for 
the Home were the gift of the late Robert Rogers, 
Esq., of our congregation. A thousand dollars, also, 
from the same estate, has been placed at interest for 
the benefit of this institution. 

A ^' Ladies Charitable Society," embracing mem- 
bers from all the Churches, has existed for man}^ 
3'ears, and through this agency great good is accom- 
plished in ministering to the wants of the worthy 
poor. 

A " Young Men's Christian Association " main- 
tain a public reading room and librar}', accessible to 
all under certain regulations. The current expenses 
are met by the dues of members and voluntary 
contributions. 

A " Bible Committee," auxiliar}' to the American 
Bible Society, keep a depository of Bibles and Tes- 
taments which are sold at cost, or given to the desti- 
tute who are unable to buy. 

SACRAMENTAL FURNITURE. 

A massive Baptismal Font of white sand stone, 
beautifull}' wrought, was presented to the Church by 



126 



Rev. Prof. J. Lewis Diman, of Providence, and 

stands near the pulpit in the House of Worship. 

The Communion service is of solid silver, and 
includes two cups inscribed " as the gift of Nathaniel 
B3'field, 1693;" one cup ''the gift of Rev. John 
Sparhawk, 1718;" three cups "to the Bristol Non- 
Conformist Church, March 29, 1723," the donor of 
which is not known ; two cups " the gift of Hon. 
Nathaniel Blagrove, 1745 ;" and two flagons, pre- 
sented August, 1855, by Miss Charlotte DeWolf, 
and Mrs. Maria DeWolf Rosrers. 



